Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 27 December 1801
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

my dear Thomas
Quincy december 27th 1801

I have not written you a Letter for a long time, yet I have not been unthoughtfull of you. My mind is often anxiously engaged for the welfare of my children; when my tongue is Silent, and my pen inactive; Your Brother and Family have been with me ever since their arrival, untill last week when they got into their House in Boston; Mrs Adams has had a very allarming cough and pain in her Breast which confined her almost the whole time she was here, and it has not left her yet, tho she has been both Bled and Blisterd; her frame is so Slender and her constitution so delicate that I have many fears that she will be of short duration; The constant state of anxiety which has harrassed his mind upon her account, has added a weight of years to his Brow, which time alone could not have effected in double the Time Space. Commencing anew the practise of the Law is very far from being agreable to him after a period of seven years in which his attention has been altogether occupied by other objects—yet what is to be done a Helpless Family to provide for; all public employment in its best estate precarious, uncertain, unthankfull, and now disgracefull to a Man of Honour and principle—To dig he cannot; to beg, he disdains.—To what but the profession in which he was bred can he turn his attention? Humiliating as the circumstances are, under which he must commence anew the buisness. Very little buisness of a profitable nature is to be found in Boston where the practise is less lucrative than in most of the other States; I know very well that it has been in compliance with the wishes of your Father that all my Sons Studied Law, but it was contrary to my judgement, and I know it was so to your inclination; I think you would have been more successfully employd in a mercantile Line, but that is now out of the question; the present State of our Country offers no great encouragement to talents, integrity or patriotism; where we are to be whirled, how tossed and Buffetted Time will unfold, but that we are to experience a reverse in the prosperous Situation of our Country is too evident; Have you read in the Washington Federilist Some papers under the Signature of a “Friend of the Constitution” upon the contemplated System of attacking the Judiciary. They are ably and handsomely written, and are from the pen of William Cranch.
I do not know whether I have thanked you for procuring my Ring which was executed quite to my Mind; you will see by the papers that your Father accepted an invitation to dine with those who celebrate Saint Forefathers day, the feast of the pilgrims, and that upon this occasion, they were all “Republicans, all Federilists.” The Lyon and the Lamb sit down together, the Son placed upon the right Hand, and the ex Secretary Tim upon the left; whilst Stephen presided as president of the day, with perfect degage (you must make out the meaning) that brazen effrontery which like Judas could say Hail Master and betray with a kiss. Not so poor Cabot whose conscience accused him of defection & desertion, who saw and felt how wrong a part he had acted; I am sometimes wholy at a loss to know what we are made for? So inconsistant, So proud, arrogant & Selfish as mankind are; and I draw this conclusion, if in this Life only we have hope, then are we of all Beings the most misirable—
“Hope Humbly then, with trembling pinions Soar
Wait the great Teacher death, and God adore.”
The Worscester Farmer has in his tenth Number basely and falsly attacked our NE clergy, but he has pulld a Hornets nest about his Ears that will Sting him in or out of his Senses—He is the most of a slavering Sycophant of any in the pack, or Sect.
avaunt politicks——Well pray inform me of the price current of flower. It has much fallen here. If the best kind is to be had with you at Seven or Eight dollar. or will fall to that, request the Baker to send me two Barrels more—
We all desire to be rememberd with Love respect &c to all our kind Friends—most affectionatly / Your Mother
A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 30 December 1801
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

my dear Son
Quincy decbr 30 1801

I have found the posts belonging to the Bed and would have sent them down by the Horse cart, but William is not yet well enough to go. the Snow prevented mr Bates from going, the day he intended and the week is now so far advanced that he has thought best to stay till Monday when he will attend you, and the cart shall then take in the Bed posts & his tools.
rs Greenleaf sent me word, that the woman I mentiond to mrs Adams was going from her as she could not content herself in the Country: mrs Greenleaf speak well of her—would you wish me to send for her and talk with her—engage her if she is at Liberty Thayer came & says his Boy will be Eleven in March that he would go home and talk with him and give me an answer directly, but I have not heard from him since. he says he has Six children in Boston, two in buisness and four at service, that this is the Baby hardly knows how to part with him. I will send again to know his determination
If you procured me the Turkey and fowls be so kind as to let Whitcome take them to the Quincy Stage. I shall be in sad plight my company being all engaged, and I am not provided—pray let me know how Mrs Adams is. I hope she will not think of venturing to the assembly untill her Health is more confirmd.
My love to her From your affectionate Mother
A A


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, December 1801
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear Mother
Philadelphia December 1801

Your favor of the 22d: has been duly received. On the subject of peace, our Merchants are quite as drooping, as those of Boston; indeed it is viewed by the eyes of cupidity, as to our Country, a great national calamity. I do not regard it such, and therefore rather rejoice at it, as affording the best prospect for the gradual restoration of reason to many of our poor lunatic Countrymen. For some very sensible &, I think, profound reflections, upon the probable consequences of peace, I refer you to the New York evening post; your Palladium will doubtless give them to you. Gouverneur Morris is the man I ascribe them to, and they do him honor as a statesman.
The Clergy of different denominations fixed upon a day for offering thanks, for the signal mercies of heaven, in exempting our City from pestilence, during the last season, and for other distinguished blessings, which are common to our Country. I attended worship, and Dr: Ewing preached a very good discourse, but without any very pointed application to the immediate subject. He acknowledged that we had abundant cause for thanksgiving, and that our enviable state of peace, at home & abroad, while the nations of Europe were destroying each other, was among the greatest. His subject might very naturally have led him to pay some tribute of praise to those who, under God, had been instrumental in maintaining this happy condition; but you know it is not fashionable here, to commend rulers, or even to pray for them; so the Doctor, stumbled over them with as little notice as possible, thinking, that as there was “peace on earth,” he would ascribe all the honor and all the praise to the most high; but “good will towards men,” never entered his brain. I was vexed at the old Quiz—But mum. The Bishop, I am told, preached an excellent discourse.
The frail matron, mentioned in a former letter has returned to her legitimate lord, and been received. She is at times, perfectly lunatic.
I received a letter from my brother, to day, which informs me of his safe arrival, with his wife & child, at Quincy.
I am, with best love to all, / Your Son
T B Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Elias Boudinot, 1801
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Boudinot, Elias

Dear Sir
1801

My Son having Sent me a coppy of your valuable Book, the President has read it with great Satisfaction and pleasure; I have not as yet been able to go through the whole of it, myself having resignd it into the hands of miss Hannah Adams the Authoriss of a Work entitled “a veiw of Religious opinions”—She is about republishing the third Edition of that work with considerable additions, and Some Questions arising in her mind upon which she is Seeking information she has Stated them in the inclosed paper and I have undertaken to be the organ of communication to you in her behalf, being Sensible from the well known benevolence of your Heart, that you will take pleasure in aiding a Lady who has discoverd Such close application and intence Study in giving to the world Labourness investigation the proof in the accomplishment of a work highly usefull to the world, In this Singular pursuit of a Lady.
In works of fancy and imagination, Several of my Fair Countrywomen have Shone, nor have they unsuccessfully courted the Muses, but this Lady has struck out upon a new and untroden path; with an industery, and perseverence which few could equal; you will perceive that in stateing all the various Religious opinions, and different Sects which have existed, She has avoided giving any judgment of her own, cautious of giveing offence to any. She is a woman of uncommon diffidence, modest and unassumeing—plain unaffected in her manners,—decent and modest in her apparal, Silent in as in mixed company, never Speaking upon literary Subjects but when drawn out by others—her early Education was in a Country village, under a Father who She has an uncommon tallent of collecting the Sence of an Author, and comprising it in few and comprehensive words—
If a Letter under cover to the Late President of the united States addrest to miss Hannah Adams, Medway—Shall be carefully conveyed to her—
I embrace this opportunity Sir of presenting my respectfull and affectionate regards to mrs Boudinot and mrs Bradford, in whose Friendship and Society I have enjoyed many pleasurable hours,—and whose continued regard and esteem I hold as one of the choicest blessings left me—
I have had experience “that Friends grow not thick on evry bow”, nor every Friend unrotten at the core”
In the Rural shades of Qu Quincy: and the domestic occupations of a Farm; we enjoy a tranquility which unruffeld by party Spirit, hopeing for peace upon Earth, and breathing good will to man—
with Sentiments of / Respect I subscribe / your Friend
A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 1801
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Cushing, Hannah Phillips

my dear Madam
ca. 1801

I need not put up the petition of Popes “teach me to feel an others woe” for I have mostSsincerely enterd into your affliction during your long residence at Washington, and thank heaven for your cause of rejoicing—I dared not write to you and feared the arrival of every mail might bring me the melancholy tidings we all so much dreaded, but through the interposition of a bountifull providence, and next to that the watchfull care, and unwearied attention of the best of Nurses your best Friend is again restored to health & I hope to his former Strength & vigor of mind. may his valuable Life Still be preserved a blessing to his Country to which he has for many years administred justice with integrity, and impartiality. blessed are the Mercifull, for they Shall find mercy.
I have had much cause for thankfullness that my Health has been so good for two years past as so good that I have sufferd but little from its interruption untill this winter when I was seazd with the prevailing influenza which threatned to terminate in a lung fever, which however took an other turn by a plentiful eruption upon the skin. it confined me more than two months, when it has dissapeard and left me in as good health as I enjoyd before and I anticipate the pleasure of seeing you and the good judge upon your return to Scituate—Pray make my respects to him and congratulations upon his recovery. I had so much confidence in his good nursing, that when our fears were most allarmd I used to Say he will not die, he cannot dye if assiduity and attention can preserve him—
The President request to be most affectionatly rememberd to one of his best. his earliest and steadfast Friends. Such Friends “grow not on every bow.” Too many have proved rotten at the core, like Summer flies, flutterd and basked in the Sunshine days of popularity—but like the Same insect took an other form whence clouds intervened. You and I my good Friend have lived to see many changes and may say with the preacher all is vanity Those who live to old age become strangers in the midst of a new succession of beings, a race who know us not arise to fill the earth—and as those who came before us gave place to us, so one generation passeth away and an other generation cometh after us.— “How pleasing to the affectionate heart the belief that there is a time to come of reunion with those with whom our happiest days were spent; whose joys and sorrows once were ours; whose piety and virtue cheered and encouraged us; and from whom, after we have landed on the peacefull shore where they dwell, no revolutions of nature shall ever be able to part us more.” These are the opinions of Dr Blair, and they naturally excite a desire in the human breast to Stretch forward toward the prize of our high calling—and to run with patience the race Set before us—
I will not apologise to you for these reflections—In the multitude of your thoughts they must have occured to you—and be in unison with your feelings—
“Virtue It is the only good Man can justly boast of, or can call his own”—
My family thank you for your kind and particular remembrance of them—My daughter Smith is with her son and daughter are with me now, and request to be rememberd to you.
I do not know what particular act of the former administration Mr Fowler alluded to—I believe before many more years pass away, every candid Republican will be ready to acknowledge the justice and wisdom of many measures, which party Spirit and a distorded view led them to condemn. They will find more Love of country, more disinterested patriotism in the measures of the federal government than they can produce tho public good and not popularity were sought—
With the pleasing hope of seeing and embracing you Soon I subscribe your truly / affectionate Friend
Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Anonymous, 1801
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Anonymous

 it would be if made. we must be convinced, as well as the people of in general, that the convention taken all together is highly advantageous to the Country; Let then a thinking and impartial Man Compare the Situation of the united States on the 4 of March 1797 when the President assumed the office of their first executive magistrate with their Situation on the Same day 1801, when those functions ceased Let him observe them at the first period, at the point of war, to every appearance inevitable with France and Spain, yet at the Same time having the highest reason to complain against the treatment of Great Britain—at the Same period in full and as far as human foresight can judge, in safe and permanant peace with all these powers and let him ask himself, how much of this favourable change ought justly to be ascribed to mr Adams? the answer will flash with the light of demonstration. if mr Adams had been the man of one great party, which divides the people of the united States, he might have purchased peace, by tribute under the name of loans and bribes as one of the leaders of that party formally avowed his disposition to do, under that of Presents, by sacrificing with pleasure, as one of the leaders of that party formally avowed his disposition to do, the rights of the union to the pleasure of France, by answering her injuries with Submission, and her insults with crouching. had he been the Man of the other party, he would have lost the only favourable moment for negotiating Peace to the best advantage, and at this moment would have seen the united States at open war with an Enemy in the highest exultation of victory, without an ally, and in the general opinion of the world if not in real truth, little better than once more a colony of Great Britain
In resisting therefore with all the Energys which with which the constitutional powers had invested the President, and all the personal influence he could excite amongst his countrymen against the voilence of France, He Saved the honour of the American name, from disgrace, and prepared the way for obtaining  terms of reconciliation—By Sending the late mission, he has restored an honorable peace to the Nation—without tribute, without bribe, without voilating any previous engagement, without the abandonment of any claim of right, and without even exciting the resentment of the great Enemy of France. he has therefore given the most decisive proof that in his administration, he was not the man of any Party—but of the whole Nation—and altho the Eyes of Faction have shut themselves against the value of Such a Character, and the legal & constitutional judgment of the Country, as express’d by their Suffrages (tho God knows by what means obtained) at the late Election have become insensible to it. Still may our late worthy and respected chief Majestrate revered and respected as he is the greatest portion of the American Nation he may with conscious innocence & integrity appeal Safely and confidently appeal from the voice of heated and unjust passions, to that of cool and equitable reason, from the Prejudices of the Present to the sober decision of posterity—

a Lover of Justice


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Stephens Smith, 18 January 1802
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, William Stephens

Dear Sir
Boston 18. January 1802

Two months having elapsed since I made the proposal respecting the note of hand due from your brother Justus to me, and being still without an answer from him, I presume either that the proposal was not agreeable to him, or that some accident has delayed or misdirected his answer, and prevented its coming to hand.
I have now settled once more in this town, and resumed the practice of the law—But I have to maintain a family, necessarily expensive to a certain degree, and I am burthened with the heavy charge of furnishing my house at a time when I am without any income sufficient to meet it—I mention these circumstances solely for the purpose of justifying the request that you yourself would pay that attention to this debt which your sense of honour and of justice will dictate—When my late brother Charles gave up the security upon which that very debt rested, I mean the mortgage, it was, as he declared, not only for your accommodation, but of essential benefit to you. I think therefore I may with some reason expect that you will provide at least for the punctual payment of the interest—Indeed, if Coll: Smith will consider for a moment his present situation and mine, the use which my money has been of to him, and the manner in which it was obtained (I mean by Charles’s surrender of the landed security) I am confident that the generosity which forms so distinguished a trait of his character will induce him to discharge the debt itself—The sum being now, a trivial object to him, though it has become a very serious one to me.
If you conclude to pay the note and interest, or the interest alone, please to let me have your answer, as soon as possible—As the convenience and even the comfort of my family depend in a considerable degree upon it.
I am, Dear Sir, with great regard and attachment your friend and very humble servt.

P.S. The interest due on the note is now largely upon the third year—The two years in arrear amount to 280 dollars—I will send you either a receipt for that, or indorse over the note itself to you, according as shall be most agreeable to yourself.


Title: From John Adams to Samuel Allyne Otis, 26 January 1802
From: Adams, John
To: Otis, Samuel Allyne

Sir
Quincy Jan 26 1802

I received your favor of Dec 16 and presented the inclosed letter from Mrs. Otis to Mrs. Adams. I congratulate you on your continuance in your office. It would not have raised the reputation of any sett of men to have made unnecessary changes in such kinds of offices. Even in England where party and self have at least as much energy as they have here removals are uncommon in the army navy revenue as well as in the subordinate officers in the great departments. The Marquis of Carmathen introduced to me Mr. Frazier an under Secretary of State and afterwards said to me that Mr. Frazier was the cleverest man in England, that in all the changes in administration he had remained in office since the Duke of Newcastles time above thirty years. I dont mean by this to say that you are the cleverest man in the United States, but I will say you are so clever that it would have been ungenerous, indiscrete in the present majority to have removed you.
My regards to all your family your friend & servant.


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Cranch, 30 January 1802
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Cranch, William

Dear Sir
Philadelphia 30th: January 1802

I have to acknowledge your favor of the 13th: ulto:. The principal subject in which you dwelt; viz: the intention to destroy the main pillar of our political edifice, has since undergone a very serious discussion; and you have doubtless listened with peculiar interest to the spirited debates, which the motion of Mr: Brackenridge has produced in the Senate of the United States. The speculations under the signature of “a friend to the Constitution,” were republished in the Port Folio, and so far as I have heard them spoken of, are much admired, but you have lived long enough to be thouroughly aware, that a Sheriff or other ministerial office, is not to be reasoned out of an house, against the owner of which he may have an Execution; or in other words, when argument & interest come in competition, it is “frightful odds” against the former. The people of the South, look upon an efficient judiciary as a permanent writ of execution against their persons and estates; how can it be expected then that they will be open to conviction. If men will differ on so essential & important points, as the dependence or independence of judges, at this time of day, the dispute can be resolved into nothing but a contest for power & an imperious call on the score of interest. There is no honesty in those who pretend to doubt, on this subject.
I have been charmed with the energetic language, the manly eloquence & the dignified style of Gouverneur Morris. I have seldom seen a more finished specimen of parliamentary elocution. Yet what effect! He spoke to men as callous, I might say calcined as the walls that surrounded them. They are in truth mere dust & clay; I mean the majority of the majority. Our union has now no bond but the national debt; if the Genevan could pay it off in seventeen hours instead of as many years, he would sooner lose his hand than do it. He knows better.
A memorial has been drafted & signed by the principal members of our bar, on the subject of the projected repeal of the last judiciary law & recommending its continuance. I signed the first draft, but that being altered and a new one made less to my mind than the former, I did not sign the last. Other motives prevented my signing; the very name of Adams, would turn the stomach of every rascal in Congress and they would belch out their windy insolence against any thing to which that name was annexed. You see I am in no very coaxing mood. If I were a member of the State legislature of Massachusetts I would propose certain amendments to the Constitution, such as would meet the approbation, I think, of at least ten States in the Union. “The black cattle to the South, shall not be represented, after the year 1803,” should be the first amendment on my list. If Virginia is not gagged with something like this, there will be no end to her presumption & impudence.
I should like to hear what reception our memorial meets—it will arrive too late to be laid before Senate.
I have never heard how Mr: Johnson is; has he recovered his health?
With best regards to your wife & children / I am, dear Sir / your friend

T B Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 7 February 1802
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

Dear Thomas
Quincy Feb’ry 7th 1802

Your Letter of the  Jan’ry I received near a fortnight ago, and have thought every day since that I would write to you; but few occurrences arise to amuse you, or entertain you of a domestick nature, and dissertations are not what you want; your proposed project of removing to the State of Newyork occupies my attention. I know it must be urksome to you to pluck up stakes (as the saying is) and quit a profession to which you have been educated, to enter upon an untried scene, to form new acquaintance & new connections; yet when I consider the disadvantages you must labour under where you are, that the political state of the Country, gives you no prospect of advancement in your profession; for all those who are in power, both in the National and State Government where you reside, are decidedly opposed to your Sentiments and principles; and I hope presume, ever will be; so that I cannot believe you will succeed in Buisness in that city. Beside it is not a desirable place of residence for a part of the season always being in danger of the yellow fever; I wish to learn from you what your prospects are if you go as you hinted, into the interior of Newyork? It is a large, and flourishing State, tho it has a wrong Bias in politicks. I think it must follow New England in self defence sometime or other; we know not what is before us. There is much reason to believe that confusion will result from the new order, or rather from the disorder which will be the concequence of the measures pursued by the Administration. The cultivators of the Soil may find more rest for a time than any other class of men; If a Farm is your object, I should advise you to see and judge for yourself; not to be led by the Suggestions of others; to live without Society; would soon render you discontented and unhappy, and even a polishd man soon becomes assimilated to the manners of those who Surround him; but as you have not explained your objects, I can only conjecture. It will not however give me any pain to find you determined upon quitting the city where you now are; it is not a soil where you will ever flourish. I hope however you may be transplanted to one with Sentiments more congenial to the best interests of our country. When I look back upon the past, I am ready to make many unpleasent reflections, but all History furnishes us with similar Instances in republican Governments. There is not any thing stable, any thing which can long be depended upon;
I yesterday read mr Morris’s speach in reply to mr Mason and others. I do not recollect ever to have read a more masterly composition, or a finer peice of oratory. Truths however painfull are painted as with a sun  beam; yet upon the callous Hearts of Jacobinism no impression appears to have been made. Deaf to the voice of Reason, truth and justice, feeling power, they forget Right; N England is crushed, and will be trampled upon, untill oppression raises a spirit which will sweep like a whirlwind.
Your Brother has taken an office in Boston. How long he will have patience to hold it, depends upon circumstances. I hope if any attempt should be made to send him to the National Legislature he will decidedly reject it, come out from among them, they are doomed to  to—dissolution—An attempt has been made to get an address to the President from our Legislator, but did not succeed as the papers will inform you; the same proposition is now under debate in the Senate, but I trust will not succeed—Burr has shown us what he will do when the fate of the Country, hangs suspended upon his veto in the National Goverment—
We have had a remarkable mild winter untill this Month commenced, when we have had a taste of cold & some snow—
Your uncle Cranch is very sick with one of his old lung complaints. I have many fears least it should prove too hard for him. Your Father enjoys good Health: and spirits. My own has been better through the winter than for several past. I forget to mention to you that B Adams is married, three weeks Since—I had a Letter yesterday from Sally. She writes that you had been once out to see her. I hope you will go again. Sally is a valuable woman, and deserving a better lot than she has met with, which make me desirious of shewing her every kind attention in my power—
The Boys are gone to N York. I cannot but regreet their removal. John had just got his ambition excited, and was pursuing his Studies with great assiduity, and earnestness; he appeard dull and mortified at his removal, and fearfull of the concequences to himself. He had much thought & reflection upon the subject, as well as anxiety for his Brother, who he thought was not inclined to the necessary application, and whose mind might easily be dissipated—It is a pitty two such fine Boys should be in a way to be ruined, and their Father has no Head for to plan out their Education;
I like to hear from you once a fortnight, if only by a few lines, Remember me kindly to all those of my acquaintance who retain any Regard for me, and be / assured alway of the tenderness / and affection of your / Mother
A Adams


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Boylston Adams, 15 February 1802
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir.
Philadelphia 15th: February 1802

I had the pleasure to receive, this morning, your favor of the 1st: currt: and now hasten to acknowledge it, with more eagerness, on account of the long interval, which has elapsed, since I have written particularly to yourself.
I am not sorry, that you consider politicks, as forbidden fruit, for though you cannot fail to form an opinion, upon the very novel & extraordinary occurrences, in this Country, which are hourly presenting themselves to our senses, I should regret, that a single sentiment of yours, should become the theme of personal invective, against yourself. The present Chief Magistrate of the United States, was so restless, during the period of his retirement from Office, and was possessed of such an itch for scribbling, that he has furnished numberless weapons, which his political enemies have successfully turned against himself. I say, successfully, for notwithstanding the casual triumph of his party, which necessarily involved the consummation of his views, he has raised no monument, either to fame or glory, by his personal elevation. These frail systems of human government, called written Constitutions, which you have labored so hard to demonstrate to the world, as being utterly incapable of duration, upon any other principle, than that of checks & balances, are now mouldering away, with alarming rapidity, in consequence of that “full tide of successful experiment,” which your successor in office, has so warmly eulogised. The figure was not unhappily chosen, for by the laws of nature, there is but a momentary interval between the flood & the ebbing of tides. Stability in first principles of government, can never be looked for, so long as the doctrine of construction is deemed paramount to them. If I mistake not, this was your meaning, when in other words you said that “a Republican government, might be construed to mean any thing, or nothing”; yet, according to the fashionable declamation of the times, what an heresy was there!! We have a recent and a curious instance in the repeal of the late judiciary law, of the versatility of this doctrine of construction. An additional one has been furnished, by a struggle of later date, between the different branches of Government, in this State.
The Constitution of the State of Pennsylvania, which is a close imitation of the federal Constitution, so far as its provisions could be applied to State purposes, declares Act 2. Sect: 8. that “No member of Congress from this State; nor any person holding or exercising any office of trust or profit, under the United States, shall at the same time, hold or exercise the office of judge, Secretary, treasurer, prothonotary, Register of Wills, Recorder of deeds, Sheriff, or any Office in this State, to which a salary is by law, annexed, or any other Office, which future legislatures shall declare, incompatible with offices or appointments under the United States.”
Governor Mc:Kean, who was as forward to reward the activity of Mr: Dallas as was President Jefferson, persuaded this gentleman, (as he says) to accept the office of Recorder of the City, a vacancy therein having occured, by the death of Mr: Wilcocks. To steer clear of the above provision in the Constitution, it was necessary, that the Office of Recorder should be construed, not a salary office, though it is confessedly one of trust & profit. It must be construed also, that the Recorder, is not a judge, though he is the sole organ of the Mayor’s Court and passes sentence upon all convicts; he also decides & over rules all disputed points of law; which occur during the sitting of that tribunal. He charges the Grand & pettit juries also, & in short, without the Recorder, there is supposed to be no competent Court. When this appointment was made, Mr: Dallas was already District Attorney of the United States, and the general understanding in public was, that the Offices were incompatible, and that he must of course renounce one if he meant to retain the other. This was not done; both were retained, and in order to try the right, an issue was made in the Supreme Court of the State, on a rule to shew cause, why a Mandamus, should not be granted against the Recorder for exercising the Office. This was argued, at length, and with much ability, on both sides, and the judges, after due deliberation, decided in favor of the Officer and therefore discharged the rule. Emboldened by this success, the Governor very speedily makes another appointment, of Dr Leib, a member of Congress, to be  Resident Physician at the Lazaretto; another office of trust & profit, though enjoying no fixed salary, by law. So long as the quarrantine laws are not in operation, the presence of a Physician, at the Lazaretto, is not absolutely necessary; yet by Resident, it is understood that the Doctor ought to be somewhat nearer than 200 miles from the scene of his duty. Nevertheless Dr: Leib passes his winter’s at the seat of Government, basking in Executive smiles, and the best portion of the fine Season, at a cool & enviable retreat on the banks of the Delaware.
The Legislature of this State, now in session, have given, within a few days, a flagrant testimony of their disapprobation of these appointments, by passing a Law, in spite of the Governor’s veto, annuling both of them, by name, and declaring all future appointments, to any office under the State, incompatible with the holding of any office under the federal government; thus pointedly censuring the Governor for his former conduct, in this particular, and setting at naught his most favorite opinions. I have but a slender opinion of the wisdom or patriotism of the present legislature of this State, but they have at least thrown off the trammels of authority, for the sake of restoring consistency to the Constitution. The Governor met them, at the beginning of the Session, with an ostentatious display of complaisance, and an hypocritical profession of deference & respect, which almost courted the contempt into which he is really fallen, with them. It has been said, that no harmony has subsisted between the Executive & legislative branches of our government, at Lancaster, for some time, and present appearances indicate an open rupture. Even the federal legislature of which the Governor so indecently complained, were more civil to him, than his own partizans. Another occurrence among us, which forms a link in this chain, deserves to be mentioned here. The Bar of Philadelphia, almost to a man, signed or would have signed, if necessary, a memorial to Congress, against the repeal of the judiciary law. Would this have happened, had not the political predicament of this State, been such as it was? Would the names of Dallas McKean &ca: been seen to a petition of this nature, but for the dispute at Lancaster. I very much doubt it. I was one who did not sign the memorial, and I believe from substantial motives. The older gentlemen of the profession, advised me not to put my name to it, for fear of its doing more harm than good— I never expected any good would come of the memorial itself, and therefore was better reconciled to my exclusion. The persecution of yourself & children, is not yet at an end, and I have long been persuaded that, as you observe, we are not children of fortune. Situated as I am, I know not whether the advice of Apollo, is not lost upon me. I am willing to put my shoulder to the wheel, and to encourage the cattle, but with all this & supplication beside, I do not extricate myself from the mire; I do not get a firm footing, in my profession. I should be loth to avow, that the earnings of my trade hitherto, have been less, in any given time, than the salary of the humblest Clerck in any of the public Offices, and yet I know it to have been so. My expences, either necessity or habit have caused to “tyranize over my income.” The “viginti annorum lucubrationes,” which are requisite to the attainment of excellence at the Bar, must not roll away in cloistered inactivity; the stimulus of gain & profit must be superaded, or attention will flag. It is but slender consolation to me, that others, of my standing, are not better off than myself, for this is an argument against the resources of the profession itself, and I confess, that there are moments, when I look forward with such a wavering & doubtful eye to my future prospects of success, that it is with difficulty I persuade myself to “labor in my vocation.” I should not have troubled you with my confessions, if it were not, that the expression of your hopes, on my account, seemed to authorize the disclosure. I remember Johnson’s advice to Boswell, when in one of his gloomy humors, and wish it may fortify me against despondency.
Your opinion of me is certainly too partial, when you say, that you “know of none more proper than myself to undertake to enquire, ascertain and establish, all those points of the Common law, which are now in force in the United States and in the individual States; and on the contrary, all those points of the Common law, which have been altered by statutes or by the Revolution and the Constitutions of Government which have been established, in consequence of it.” I feel my own incompetency to handle this subject with dexterity, so forcibly, that were it not for the deference I, wish always to pay to your reccommendations, I should shrink from the task. I can only promise you, that I will turn my thoughts and attention to the subject, and if I feel encouraged, by my first efforts, will continue the research to some definite result.
I am, with best love to the family and all friends, / Dear Sir, / Your Son

Thomas B Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 19 February 1802
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Court-House 19. Feby: 1802.

My wife having been at the Ball last Night, was not up this morning, when your letter was brought by Mr: Briesler—In her name and my own therefore I must return you our thanks for your loaf of bread, and fine goose—It gives me great satisfaction to learn you are getting better—Our black man too is recovering, and we have no symptoms yet in any other part of the family—We have letters with accounts of Mr: Johnson, to the latter end of January—He was better, but not yet able to return to Washington.—
Your’s most affectionately—
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 28 February 1802
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Son
Quincy Febry 28th 1802

Your Father received a Letter from you last Evening; full of political information, and judicious reflections; there is a darkness visible upon all our national prospects, which cast a Gloom upon my declining days. What of Life remains to me, I should rejoice to pass in tranquility; but danger takes rapid strides, and faction and party Rage will soon involve us in a civil war: or a Lethargy and Stupor render us fit subjects for Southern despotism; the rising Generation will have more dangers to encounter than there Fathers have surmounted; such are your prospects my Son but be not dismayed at this, or the little success you have met with hitherto in your profession; I know it must require a large portion of patience, and perseverence to preserve an equal mind through so many strugles. The reflection will obtrude, why was I educated to this profession? why am I placed in a situation where I cannot with all my assiduity, frugality and oeconomy provide me an independance? has my Family made no sacrifices for the benifit of their Country? have they lived for themselves only? You have the consolation of knowing that no mean, or disgracefull action has placed you or your Father or Brother tarnishd the public conduct of either Father or Brother; that there Reputation and your own are built upon solid and durable Material. Honor, virtue and integrity, they will out live the popular Clamour of the present age, and shine brighter from the Shades with which future Historians must contrast them.
My own reflection upon what has been, and now is, are frequently tinged with a melancholy hue, not on my own account, so much, as for those who are to succeed me. With frugality we have enough for all our wants, because we can circumscribe them within narrow bounds. I once wrote you that I had a small matter saved from expences which I curtaild, and which I have been many years collecting, expecting a time when I might have occasion for it, as I could. I have placed it in the Hands of our good Friend Dr. Tufts who has managed it for me in such a manner as to yeald me an interest of 200 dollers per annum. This I call my pin money, As I have not had occasion for any of it, I have yearly added the interest to the principle. I have now happily by me half yearly interest which I calld for a few days since, and as I have not an immediate use for it, and can receive more in April, I inclose it to you, requesting you to accept it as a small token of the Love and affection I bear you, wishing at the same time, that it was ten times the value. I have but one injunction to make you. It is that you make no mention of it; further than to say you received my Letter safe of the 28th of Feb’ry.
We have had winter enough since the 22d of Feb’y, snow in abundance, and cold. We are confined to our house by Banks of snow, Ice and blocked roads. Your Father has been employd in reading a work of 14 volms of Le Harps which your Brother has furnishd him with. He has lately read the Studies of nature by  I am happy to inform you that your uncle Cranch has surmounted his late illness so far as to give us hopes he may be spaired to us a little longer. Your Brother and sister have not been here for three weeks. They have had the measles in their Family, and my domesticks have been sick. Remember me to all those who inquire after your affectionate Mother

Abigail Adams


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 1 March 1802
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Son
Quincy March 1. 1802

Mr Dobson the Bookseller has an Account open with me.—It is of 13 or 14. or 15 Years Standing.—Several Years ago he Sent his account to me, but, intending to take the Ballance due to me in books I did not Sign it. I wish you would call upon him, and presenting him my Compliments pray him to Send his account to me through you. I presume there is a ballance due to me. This ballance you may take in Books Such as you may like.
I Sent from England the first Volume of the Defence to the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. It has been lately hinted to me, that it is desired or at least expected that I should Send them the Second and third. You may take one of each from Mr Dobson, write in the Title or blank page “To the Philosophical Society of Phyladelphia from the Author” and deliver them to the Secretary.
Mr Dobson I esteem a very honest Man, and his Account will be very Satisfactory to me. The Volumes which remain in his hands may be disposed of as you and he think best. I Suppose they are of no Value.
The Principle of the Work is that every Constitution, to be free must have interwoven in its Essence, an efficacious Principle of Self defence. Every Part must be able to defend itself against every other Part. To be a little ludicrous, a Constitution must be a Master of the Science of defence, “Maitre d’escrime.” But my “Paper Shott” will have no more Influence with Parties or Party Leaders than Harringtons had with O. Cromwell. They will not be frightened out of their Power by Such Scare Crows.
Some future maker of Constitutions, who if any of this tribe should ever hereafter appear, when filling his Pidgeon holes with projects, may possibly look into the Index, for the Sake of assisting his Invention with Varieties. But the Work will never have much reputation, many Readers, or any Influence. Constitutions are made and unmade by Passions, Prejudices and Arms: not by Reason nor Experience. Tant pis, pour Le Gens humain. Some Persons think there is So much Uncertainty in the Science of Government, arising from the Instability of human affairs and Characters as well as from the infinite Variety of Situations & Circumstances that it never can be reduced to fixed Principles. It is even doubted by many whether the English Constitution would answer for any other Nation. Whether the preservation of it is not owing to their insular Situation, and Whether if their national defence demanded an Army instead of a Navy, they could possibly maintain it.
One Thing is certain without a Constitution there can be no real Liberty. Another is equally so, that a Constitution which is not organized to defend itself, may be, and will be broken. Ours has established a Judiciary: but What defence is prepared for it? Can it defend itself? How can the President be compelled to defend it? Can the Legislature? Is either interested to defend it? I cannot copy my Letters. So you must burn them or keep them very Safe.
your affectionate father


Title: From William Smith Shaw to Abigail Smith Adams, 2 March 1802
From: Shaw, William Smith
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Aunt
Boston March 2d 1802

The roads have been so bad & the weather such that I had almost despaired of ever hearing again from Quincy—I am very happy to hear that you and the President are well again—I left last week a letter & a number of papers at Connors for Mrs Black to take to Quincy. I hope you have received them. I send by Richard to days & yesterdays papers, with a number of papers & a letter from Wheaton, which I would thank you to return after having read them. The roads are so bad that the intercourse between Boston & Washington is much obstructed, so that we have nothing new—the papers I send are the latest.—I am very sorry to see by a Georgetown paper that Mrs. Stodderts is dead.
The Electioneering controversy has again commenced—and the Jacobins are determined to exert all their might to oust Gov. Strong & bring in Mr Gerry. A writer in the chronicle of yesterday complains bitterly that Gov. Strong has never in his speeches or proclamations eulogized Mr Jefferson or expressed confidence in his administration!!! I have seen several lists for Senators of this country & Mr Adams’ name is upon all of them.
Master Vinal was indited for a libel last week before the Supreme court— Mr Adams & Mr Otis were his council—The libellous publication, of which Vinal was suspected of being the Author charged the C Justice Dana with bribery, receiving a thousand acres of land at the Eastward for setting aside a verdict of a jury and attempting to have the Attorney Gen impeached for exposing his conduct. All the evidence against Vinal was a similarity of hand writing—the court after hearing the evidence on the part of Government did not think it sufficient to support the indictment—& saw no necessity of his counsel making any defense—so that we h the pleasure of hearing Mr Adams   in a few moments for  guilty.
With respect / I am very affectionately
W. S. Shaw


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Boylston Adams, 3 March 1802
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John

My dear Sir
Philadelphia 3d: March 1802

The task assigned me by your Letter of the 1st: ultimo, “to enquire, ascertain and establish all those points of the Common law, which are now in force in the United States, and in the individual States; and on the contrary those points, which have been altered by Statutes or by the Revolution and the Constitutions of Government, which have been established in consequence of it;” has magnified to such an extent, since I bent my thoughts in that direction, that I find myself under the necessity of availing myself of the assistance you kindly promised me, in the prosecution of the enquiry. When you were informed that the Abbé de Mably was about to undertake the history of the United States, you drew an outline for him, which from its generality no less than its minuteness, was sufficient to terrify any foreigner from advancing in that region, unless his pursuit were fable instead of history. The Essay on the Common law, which you say is much wanted, would swell to a volume in the hands of any one, who should attempt to follow the track marked out by you; and I cannot help pleading my utter incompetency to the undertaking, unpossessed, as I am, of documents, destitute of assistance from any prior investigation, and above all wanting experience in my profession. The Statute book of each individual State in the Union, ought to be in some degree familiar, to the investigator of this subject; their particular Constitutions, customs and usages, should also be thoroughly understood. Even the forms of practice, which prevail by adoption in every State, all of which are variant from the practice of the English Courts, in some particulars, should be known, in order to make the proper discrimination. Such an Essay as that which passes under the title of Law tracts, & of which Ld Kaime’s was the author, seems to me to be a fit model for this interesting enquiry relative to the Common law. The learned author of those tracts, observes in his preface, that the particular discourses selected by him for publication, have a relation to subjects, common to the law of England & of Scotland.” The enquiry might be pursued with almost a parity of object, as avowed by that author; viz to demonstrate, that this whole Continent was once subject to the same law, that prevailed in Great Britain and that the revolution, which severed the Colonies from that Country, did not extinguish the common law, unless by the Statutes of any State, particularly denying its operation. For confirmation of this fact, the authority of Judge Addison, might be deemed sufficient, when he affirms, that “there was a Common law in each State before the declaration of Independence, and it remained after this declaration.” But how can we deny the operation of the Common law? It is so interwoven with every fibre & ligament of our social state, that should its operation be obstructed, (if indeed it could be done) convulsions would soon succeed to stupefaction, and the political surgeons might venture to predict; that in such a case, nothing could prevent an apoplectic termination to the disease.
I am better satisfied with the judge Addisons remarks upon the common law than any that have come under my eye. In his “Analysis of the Report of the Committee of the Virginia Assembly,” &ca: he says, “The Common law is founded on the law of nature & the revelation of God, to which all men are subject; on the law of nations, to which every nation is, as a nation, and the individuals composing it, subject towards every other, and on certain maxims or usages, which have long prevailed and been sanctioned by judicial authority, as naturally arising out of the circumstances, by which the subjects of that government were connected with each other; and therefore imposing duties on the individuals of that nation towards each other.”
The treatises wherein the Common law is treasured as an historical relic, would be most proper to consult in order to ascertain the extent of its application in the transactions of the social state; how to detect or discover its influence among us, in this Country, I am at a loss for a guide, and I therefore pray you Sir, to refer me where I may find a directory.
I am, respectfully & affectionately your Son
T B Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 March 1802
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear Madam
Boston. ante 8 March 1802

Richard has just brought me your note and I am very happy to hear you are all well. Betsys Mother must be mistaken as to her having had the Measles as she is now confined to her room which we hope she will leave tomorrow she has had them very favorably and at her age I think it a happy thing to have got through the disorder George we expect will have them next Sunday it is unfortunate as he has four more teeth almost through from which he appears to suffer though not very much I think he will go alone in another month if the measles should not weaken him too much I am very unwell myself I believe this damp weather does not suit me Mr. Adams is very well Epps is to be married the 24th. she requests you to let Becky and Richard come to town on the occasion she has got a couple of chambers and intends to try the mantua making business should you be able to recommend her both me and herself will me much obliged to you—
Mr. Adams is not at home therefore I cannot let him know about the horse but as we expect George will be sick on Sunday I do not think he will be able to accept your go
Remember me affectionately dear Madam to the President / and believe me your very affectionate daughter
L. C. AdamsShould you be able to recommend me a cook I would be very much obliged to you I do not mean to part with Betsy


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 March 1802
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louissa
Quincy March 8th 1802—

The mountains have vanished, and the ground is again bare in most places. the roads are excessive rough, and the weather uncommonly cold for March. I hope it will Soften & the Roads become smoother, before Saturday when I shall send in the carriage for you. I do not think that George will have the Measles.
I thought that  voyage to England, would end in a matrimonial engagement in Boston I wish her much happiness and satisfaction. whitcomb & she have lived long enough together to know each others tempers, dispositions & habits; and have the better chance for accommodationdating their tempers to each other. I hope they will meet with encouragement and Success.
As to finding you a cook in this place, I have not the least chance; we have not any Such persons; I cannot find one for myself—I might find you a young Girl of ten or eleven years old capable of attending George & running after him now he has got So large, and you might find it convenient to keep Betsy in the cooks place, and take a Girl who under Lyda might attend George You will judge of this yourself—I want to have George come up I am affraid he will forget us:
Affectionatly yours
A Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 12 March 1802
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Mother.
Friday 12 March 1802.

I am sorry that we are again obliged to postpone our visit to you at Quincy, as George is this day breaking out with the meazles—His symptoms however are favourable, and we hope he will have the disorder lightly—I send out by William the two turkies and a fish. There is no Cod at market, for which reason I send a haddock—You will also receive a Rochefort cheese enclosed in a leaden cover—Of this Coll: T. H. Perkins with his respects requests my father’s acceptance—To complete the cargo, there is a puppy, of the pure Newfoundland breed, which Mr: Jeffrey presents to my father, and which may serve as a substitute for one of Blanch’s, the only one of her litter that surviv’d not being of the right sort.—We are all well, excepting George—Betsy Newcomb has had the meazles too and is quite recovered—
Your’s faithfully.
J. Q. A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 March 1802
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

Dear Thomas
Quincy March 13th 1802

I have received two Barrels of flower but no account of the price either from the Baker or you. be so Kind so to forward one to me. also let me know as Soon as possible whether my Letters of the 28 of Febry got safe to Hand. the Roads were so bad at that time, and the Mails So irregular that I had fears for the letters. I would not Suppose that there is less responsibility in the post masters than formerly—pray who is this mr Hemphill who makes So respectable a figure in debate from your state? I rejoiced when I saw that a good thing could come out of ——— from what part of the State is he Sent? I understand he is one of the Friends he certainly has done honour to his State and country—but Solomon said if you Bray fools in a morter, yet will not their folly depart from them. he has not told us what can drive it out of knaves, unless he meant those when he said a word entereth more into a wise man, than a thousand Stripes into a fool—
I find by the papers that the measles is very prevelent in Philadelphia So they are in Boston little George is just breaking out with them—
Your uncle Cranch Still is confined and low. the rest of us are well as usual
your Brother has been chosen to deliver an oration before the Fire Society—and it seems as if he was to have sufficent proofs of the dreadfull calamity to impress his mind with the horror of that destroying Element. Ten Stores upon the long Wharff have this week been destroyed by it and vast property—He has also been appointed one of a new Board of commissoners upon the Bankrupt act, and you will find his name upon the list of State Senators. here I Shall be Silent, but if once they put him up for congress then will I raise my warning voice—I only intended you a line, but my pen has run on
adieu yours &c
A—


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to Joseph Clay, Jr., 18 March 1802
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Clay, Joseph, Jr.

Sir,
Philadelphia. 18th: March 1802

At the request of my father Mr: John Adams, I take the liberty, through you, to present the volumes, herewith Sent, to the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia. It is believed, that the first volume of this work, has already been presented, by the Author, to the Society; if so, the Sett will now be complete.
I am, Sir, respectfully / Your most obed: hble Servt
Thomas B Adams.


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 20 March 1802
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear Mother.
Philadelphia 20th: March 1802.

Your kind favors of 28th: February & 13th: March, came safe to hand; I thank you for them, and should have sooner acknowledged their receipt, but for the constant sitting of Courts, ever since. I repent, that I have written so much to you and my father, on the subject of myself, since I perceive, that it has produced so much uneasiness & anxiety, not to say more, on my account. It would have been very grateful to me, to have been able to say, in answer to the enquiries, which were addressed to me; give yourselves no concern, on my behalf; I am safe, beyond the reach of apprehension; my business yields me a handsome income, enough & more than enough for all my wants. I could not truly say thus. But I think, the account I gave of myself and my prospects, may have presented rather too gloomy an aspect, and it is incident to all professions, whose profits are contingent, to inspire doubt. I can venture to affirm, that I have done more ostensible business, at the bar, since I opened an office in the fall of 1799 than any one of the same standing, who had no particular patronage; but it has not been a profitable kind of business; it gave considerable employment, but yielded little money.
I cannot answer the language of my father, on this subject. I know his chastenings are meant as kindness, and his experience in life, enables him to dictate lessons of prudence, of assiduity & economy to his children. But what reply can I venture to make, to the conclusion of his letter of the 1st: March. “You have no relations in Philadelphia. You have no friends. Nothing but a consciousness of great & decided superiority of genius, talents, eloquence or knowledge or industry can excuse you for remaining there. Have you these?”
I will only state my case, and leave it to be judged of by any body, who is acquainted with the difficulty of coming forward, at the Bar, at this time. I returned from Europe in the beginning of the year 1799 after an absence of more than four years, during which I had scarcely seen a book, connected with the law; as soon as I conveniently could I got into an Office and re-commenced the study of law; but in less than six weeks I am driven from the theatre of business by apprehension of danger from disease, and am exiled nearly four months, during which period I was more than usually assiduous in my application to books, and prepared myself to begun the practice, with some confidence. I have lost no opportunity since then, of appearing at the bar, in every shape and before the lowest tribunal; but with all this, and much kindness from my friend & former master, I am yet subject to the mortification of avowing to my parents, that I am in no way of making a fortune by my business. The money I have invested in Books, since I commenced practice, exceeds one thousand dollars, and I acknowledge with gratitude, that I have received the greater part of it from my parents. The account which I have yet to render is, that I am not in debt, beyond my perfect ability to pay at any moment, and in answer to my father’s pressing injunction I will promise him, that I will not stay here and run in debt.
I have chosen to address this letter to you, though intended equally for my father’s perusal, and I hope, that I have not deviated from respectful expressions, in any passage of this statement.
I will shortly reply to the other letters, which relate to topicks of a different nature—I have been much gratified with the catalogue of my fathers winter’s reading.
I am very affectionately / Your Son

T B AdamsP. S. I sent a letter, yesterday to my father.


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 22 March 1802
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir,
22. March 1802.

The enclosed letter being from Mr: King, I apprehended might enclose one to me, from the gentlemen at Amsterdam; as I had forwarded letters upon your affairs through him to them—I therefore took the liberty of breaking the seal—But finding only open papers within, I now enclose the whole to you—I have not presumed to look into the contents.
Yours faithfully
J. Q. A.


Title: To John Adams from Josiah, III Quincy, 26 March 1802
From: Quincy, Josiah, III
To: Adams, John

SirBoston. 26 March. 1802.

May I so far presume upon your goodness as to hope a pardon for recalling your mind to a promise you were so kind as to make me, that you would furnish such notices as in your opinion were are proper & just for the monument, which I am about erecting to my parents, according to the directions of my father’s will. The motives, which originally led to this application to you, as the person pointed out in that will, whom my father wished might execute this office, have, I trust, offered for me an apology, of which I should, otherwise, have been destitute. Least I should now seem to press a private concern too urgently upon your attention, permit me to observe that while I have been balancing in my mind this application and hesitating between my sense of duty to my father and sense of propriety as it respects you, five months have elapsed, since the execution of the monument; and the workman, who waits only for the inscription, writes in a manner so pressing, that I am obliged to take this liberty.—With respects to Mrs: Adams, in which Mrs. Quincy begs to be joined; I am, Sir, your much obliged / and Most hble Servt.
Josiah Quincy


Title: From William Stephens Smith to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 March 1802
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Lincoln, Benjamin

Dear Sir—
New York. March 28th. 1802.

This will be presented to you by Mr. John Churchman—he is the author of a work on the subject of the magnetic Variation—and has been complimented with the attention of the Litterati both in this Country and in Europe, where I first knew him, he is a gentleman of respectability and science—and as he visits Boston with an intention of making further observations, and to connect & compare them, with those already made in different sea-ports of the united states, I take the Liberty of soliciting for him your friendly protection, in his pursuit,
With the highest respect / I am Dear General / Your most Obedt. / Humble Servt.

W. S. Smith


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 6 April 1802
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
Quincy April 6. 1802

I received last night your favour of the fourth, with the Letter inclosed
Although I am not able to conjecture, in what manner it can possibly be of any consequence to any one, to prove that in the Year 1777 I argued a cause with Mr Lowell for Col Doane at Portsmouth in New Hampshire, before Judge Brackett, yet as Judge Bourne considers it material to him, I have no hesitation in certifying the fact. If indeed the Certificate is to be used before the Circuit Court, the Chief Judge of that Court will preclude all necessity of other Evidence. You may Shew this Letter to Judge Bourne, and he may make what Use of it he thinks proper. I am, Sir with Usual Affection / your Father

John Adams


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 6 April 1802
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Sister,
Atkinson April 6th. 1802

It has been many weeks since I have heard from you; I hope you have enjoyed health. Our Winter has been very temperate, so warm that we could have no sleighing, & great dificulty the people have had to transport the produce of their rich Farms—I pitied their Cattle, more than their Masters for many broke their Limbs, & died.
I mended a Shirt and several things for Cousin William and John which they ought to have taken with them, but their trunks were so full they could not, & several things which they might have worn here, but was not worth carrying so far, that I think if you please, will do for Mrs Nortons Children, which I send by Master Tufts.
Dr Tufts has written on & desired us to authorize him to sell our deceased Uncles landed property, the demands, being greater than he expected—I hope the President will not fail of becoming yet the “Knight of moon Island, & the Duke of Mount—I forget the name—&ccc—if he wishes it—You mentioned having the Vendue of the movables going off for a triffle. Esqrs Whites at Haverhill sold, it is said, for more than double their worth—so differently Towns estimate goods—& Furniture—
I have been very unwell since the Children went home. Cousin William has written & informed us, it was his Fathers intention for them both to enter the Colledge in New York—I hope the dear Lads will prove a blessing to their connections—I send you a letter from one of their fellow Students, if you will please to convey it with my love as I have been too unwell to write myself You will oblige your / Affectionate Sister

Elizabeth PeabodyMr Peabodys & my best regards where due—


Title: From John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 April 1802
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Son
Quincy April 10. 1802

I recd in due Course your favour of March 18 and thank you for your prompt and punctual Attention to my several requests. The Harleyan Miscellany I should be glad to have. Mr Dobsons account I presume is correct. I know not the Cost of the Harleyan Miscellany: but if any ballance should remain you may take it in any Books you may want, or Send any to me that you think have merit. I have red the Vote of Thanks from the Secretary of the American Philosophical Society, Mr John Redman Coxe.
I have had it long in contemplation to write you some further hints upon a subject on which I wrote you some time Since, which you have not mentioned to have recd, the Common Law. Mr Bayard in his Speech has mentioned several Topicks which I had thought of Suggesting to you. The Importance of the Law of Evidence, to Life, Liberty, Property, Security, Reputation, in short to Every Interest of human Society, is beyond Calculation. consider the Evidence of other Nations, from the Rack & Torture of all Europe, to the Suspicion and Suspicions of being Suspected of the French Revolution, and compare them with Gilberts Law of Evidence, the Chapter on Evidence in Tryals per Pais or the Title of Evidence in any Abridgment, and you will see the difference, For Example “The Presumption is always in favour of Innocence. Every Man is presumed to be innocent untill the contrary is proved. Two guilty Men had better go unpunished than that one innocent Man should Suffer.” Where do We find this candid, humane, as well as equitable Rule? Not in the constitution of the United States: not in any Statute of Congress: Not in the constitution of any particular State, nor in any Statute Law of any State. It is to the common Law alone that We owe the Obligation to observe this rule—from that Source alone do we derive our Right to the protection of it.
For another Example. Hearsay Evidence shall not be admitted, but in certain particular Cases. Has this Law been enacted by any express constitution or Statute in America? Whence is it derived? from the common Law—It is the Birth Right of us all.
For a third Example. No Man shall be a Witness in his own Case. No Man shall be a Witness in a Cause in which he is interested nor a Judge nor a Juror.—Whence comes this Rule? Not from France, nor from our States or our Congress: But from that common Law which is the natural & unalienable Inheritance of Us all.
Run through all the other Rules of Evidence. e.g. The best Evidence shall be produced which the nature of the Thing will admit &c and See the infinite Obligation we are under, above every other People under heaven, to this common Law.
I write in haste & very Superficially and keep no Copy. You know the Consequence. Cauto.
Your affectionate Father
John Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 11 April 1802
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Brother.
Quincy 11. April 1802

Since my last letter to you, I have not had the pleasure of receiving a line from you—I have it not yet in my power to unpack my books, and consequently not to take out and send you those belonging to you. But I have sent you a set of the Massachusetts Laws, and a copy of the translation from Bülow, by the Sylvia; Captain Seth Daggett, who has already sailed, and will probably reach Philadelphia as soon as this letter.
I suppose you will learn from the newspapers the general result of our election for Governor, Lieutt: Governor and Senators—Mr: Strong will probably have a much larger majority this year than the last, and Mr: Robbins comes in by an equal majority as lieutt: Governor—You will see my name upon the Suffolk list of Senators, and perhaps, be a little surprized, that I suffered it to be run. But as it was extremely doubtful and generally doubted, whether it could be carried, I did not choose either to shrink, or even to have the appearance of shrinking from the trial.—So I did not decline—And indeed a man may as well be busy about nothing for the public as for himself—
Our friends here are well.
Your’s affectionately
A.


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, 11 April 1802
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear William
Philadelphia 11th: April 1802

You apologize so handsomely in your letter of the 9th ult. for your long silence towards me, that I cannot find in my heart to retaliate; indeed I should do so much violence to myself, by an attempt to break off our correspondence that you may venture to assure yourself of its continuance. You gave me much information, which I could have learnt from nobody else, and I shall place my trust in you for future communications of a similar nature.
I have read the life of that Monster Fairbanks and his prison confession, which discloses some facts, that explain to my satisfaction, the reason why his Counsel were so firmly persuaded of his innocence of the murder Still I say, he suffered a righteous punishment, and the consciences of both jurors & judges are acquitted, in the sight of God & man, (or ought to be), of all imputation. He was convicted by the evidence before the Court; and how could he be acquitted, without a disclosure of the facts, which his narration has since brought to light, and which, if strictly true, rest alone on his own testimony, having presumption still as strong as before, of his guilt. As to his life, I am no convert to the gorgeous decorations, & the tinsel splendor of a female biographer. Hic jacet Jason; quies est!
You promise me some letters, which have been dedicated to my brother. Where, & of what nature are they? I hope the good people of Suffolk will Senatorize him.
I have enquired of Dennie as to the charge against Walter & Welles for the Port folio—He says, if any gentleman says he has paid avers payment, it is enough—the derangement of accounts before Dickins went away, is the general apology for all errors. I paid $4.80 for Marsh’s political work, you bought of Dickins, which is about what I owed you for some books you left me. As to the contested election, in Delaware. I know nothing about it. And now having touched upon all the business topics of your letter, let me have a little familiar chat with you, about matters & things. I must premise that I am not yet fully recovered from an ugly fall or cast I got from a vile beast of a horse, last Monday. I wrote about it yesterday to my brother, a partial account, and for your amusement, I will detail the particulars. I rode out on Monday afternoon in company with Jo: Reed, on horse-back, as far as Bush hill; Rich: Peters & Zantzinger came after us in a Gigg; we stopped but a few minutes, and were coming away; when the horse I had rode out refused to bring me back; trying all he could to prevent my mounting; I succeeded however to get my foot in the stirrup and in passing my leg across the back of the horse, hit him with my spurr, in consequence of his sudden wheel; upon this, he began to kick up; threw me out of seat, nearly on his neck and took me at full speed down hill, where he halted so suddenly as to throw me with great violence over his head. My left shoulder received the brunt of the blow and though my head struck the ground, my hat broke the force of it so much that I felt no hurt. All this happened in the twinkling of an eye, and no human skill could have avoided the accident. My companions, though terrified to a state of petrifaction, could not restrain their risiblles at the ridicule of the scene, which I believe was scarcely ever surpassed in Equestrian annals. The beast made so many efforts to get his rider off his back & threw himself into so many “postures most constrained”, C. I. Ingersoll, that I have not been able to think of it since, without laughing myself. When I recovered my breath, which was nearly gone—I got up, and after wincing & making wry faces for a short time, found that no fracture or dislocation had been made; I took a seat in the Gigg, was brought to town, put to bed; bled freely; dieted & am now so far recovered as to walk about town as usual, though a good deal reduced & debilitated by the regimen. I thank God it was no worse, for my life was in jeopardy, and for all the wealth of Golconda, I would not take the risk again. Now you have the adventure at full length, and if any of the good natured Philadelphians should tell a different story, you can set the thing to rights.
Monday 12th: April
I have just got your note of the 5th: inst: and rejoyce to learn the triumph of Federalism, or Honesty-ism, call it what you will, except Jacobinism, which as Burke defines it, is “the revolt of the enterprizing talents of a Country against its property.” I hope that our native State will be brought back to right principles, and at some future day, assume a tone & Speak a language that shall make old dominion tremble to its center.
The gaiety of the Season is over here; I never knew more dissipation since the first winter that Congress were here; the Theatre has not been so well supported, as last year for want of an Actor in the first class of characters—Wood takes the lead, and has become a very correct, graceful & judicious performer, but his voice he cannot conquer, and it will always be an impediment in his career. Cain never will be any thing, very great. He wants a Soul, poor fellow. The females, who are rising, on the town, (verily we had encoring) are Miss Westray & Miss Arnold; all the rest are formed, such as they must ever be, and we can only add, would they had been better! Merry is Merry still. By the lie, a little scandal here—It is whispered, that the young tragedian C. J. J—who has been on visiting terms at Mrs: M——s apartments, ever since he made her his Queen, took it in his head, on a late visit to bolt up stairs without any previous ceremony, and finding Mrs: M. alone, seated himself  and shortly began a discourse, which we are to suppose was  familiar to that lady’s ear, and which report says, she undertook to tell  was indelicate and improper for him to utter or for her to hear—The stripling quite undaunted at the rebuke; replied—“Poh! You joke surely. Mrs: M—You who are accustomed to the Stage, cannot entertain very strict notions of delicacy”—and in conformity with this opinion, was proceeding to further extremities, when Mrs M—— called in the assistance of her Chamber maid, bid her show Mr J the door & told her in future to deny admittance to this young Hotspur. The story tells very much against the Author and in favor of the correct and dignified behaviour of the Actress, who though disposed to labour in her vocation & “play the Queen,” is that very lady still, whom Will: Shakespeare had in view when he wrote, “There was a lady once, that would not be a quean, that would she not, for all the mud in Egypt.”
Your friends are well—Wallace had received your hint, and promised to send you his Reports; they are few & small. With best love to all friends I am / Your’s
T B Adams.


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 14 April 1802
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear Mother.
Philadelphia 14th: April 1802

My brother enclosed me Alibone’s bill for flour sent to you, & about which you wrote to me. I will pay it and send you a receipt, very soon.
You enquired in one of your last letters, who is Mr. Hemphill that so much distinguished himself by his speech on the judiciary law? He is a young man, from the County of Chester, who was bred to the bar, studied in the Country and until sent to Congress, practised in one of the Counties. He is of a Quaker family and of course commanded all the interest of the fraternity, in his District. The speech he made on this occasion, was, I believe the first he ever made in a legislative body. I think it has been surpassed by no one. I understand that a complete collection of all that has been said in both houses on this great question, will be published in a volume; when it appears I will send you a copy.
The election in Massachusetts, I am happy to see is in a promising train. Mr: Adams is elevated to the rank of State Senator, and I am willing he should be. I have no doubt he will be solicited, at the next election for members of Congress to run against Eustis, and I have as little doubt, that he will obtain permission to do so, from his family friends, but I think he will not consent to the arrangement; at least I hope he will not. Let him be any thing that he can, where he is, but never suffer himself to be sent away, out of New England.
I have nothing special to communicate, at present; but having kept my letter a day longer than I intended, gives me an opportunity to enclose Allibone’s Receipt.
With best remembrance to my father, I am / your Son
T B Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 April 1802
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Thomas
Quincy April 18th 1802—

I have too long delayed, replying to Your Letter of March 20th. Whatever is written to you, by your parents, sincerely anxious as they are for your future welfare, and advancement in Life, you will receive as it is certainly meant in kindness and affection; I am sensible that success cannot be commanded, tho it may be deserved; I am not insensible to the difficulties you have had to contend with, nor the efforts you have made to surmount them; to the state of party politicks many of them owe their origin, over which you could have no controul; your fair and candid Statement has given to your Father much satisfaction; he was pleased with your Letter; in which was not any expression unbecomeing a dutifull and affectionate Son to his parents. He has authorized me to say to you: that here are Farms sufficient for you to Employ and occupy you, when ever you are disposed to turn Farmer; and your Fathers House ready to receive you when ever you find that you cannot command sufficient to clear your way as you go where you are; your Father has been induced by the desire of keeping the Quincy estate in the Family where it has already been near an Hundred years. to purchase out all the Heirs, except mr Tufts, who holds a third, which third takes in the buildings & an hundred and ten acres of Land. Mount Wollaston is in one of the divisions which has fallen to your Father, Moon Island, Rock Island and Rye Island &c so you see his dominions and titles have greatly increased. mr Tufts property lies between the first and third division, but I presume some future day it will all again be united. If not there is sufficient to employ a younger Man than your Father for many years to come in building upon and cultivating a spot by natural Situation delightfull. There is however one thing wanting to render the work both easy and expeditious. . . . you will be at no loss to devine what that is. However he will do what he can, and leave to those who will come after him to improve and embelish what he has labourd to acquire; altho it is a property very little productive, it cannot be annihilated with a spunge. If the public faith is voilated, and no funds provided to pay the public debt, the Lands remain, and the labourour may live by the Sweat of his Brow. All things appear to me to be in a fluctuating state; there is no calculating to what lengths the spirit of party and the madness of power may arrive. The strong Barrier of the constitution is raped; the ax is laid to the Root of the Tree. If the people cannot be awakened to a sense of their danger, and adopt the only safe and quiet means of relieving themselves, they are given over to blindness of Eyes and hardness of hearts—
You see by the state of votes that Govr Strong will be reelected this year with ten Thousand votes Majority—Union is the great thing wanted, by uniting they stand, by divideing they fell. The Senators had a large and honorable majority in the County of Suffolk—How it will be with the Representitives I cannot pretend to say. The Jacobins are united. Not so the Feds, and thus they may lose what they have gained. I heard a Gentleman say to day, that the Farmer had been the means of promoting more federalism than any other writer. His own Country bears witness to it. where a greater change of sentiment has taken place than in any other part of this commonwealth—May what is meant for evil, thus produce good, and we may once more be restored to Rational Liberty, and prosperity.
The Washington printers are so obliging as to furnish us with their papers—You know me too well to suppose that the debates are uninteresting to me: especially upon the great subjects which have occupied the two Houses tho many Members were excellent—Mr Bayard stands unrivald— tho many excelld and talents have been displayed by several, who have not shone so bright before but the Antis were all like the Rich Man in the Gospel—like him they will sooner or later be tormented, for they prevent justice flowing down our streets like a River.
Let me hear from you my dear Son, and do not be induced to conceal any of your troubles or anxieties from your Mother whose greatest felicity would be to releive you from them when in her power.Most tenderly and affectionatly / Your Mother,

Abigail Adams


Title: To John Adams from Thomas Boylston Adams, 18 April 1802
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
Philadelphia 18th: April 1802

Your favor of the 10th: instant and that of the 12th: ult: on the same subject claim my thanks. I find in the journals of Congress for 1774 to which you refer me, the best clue to the investigation, and I shall avail myself of copious extracts from the documents therein exhibited. There is a remarkable uniformity in the expressions used by the Constituents of the first delagates from the several States, in the Credentials given to them to attend the first Congress, “to consult and consider, how grievances could be redressed, and to deliberate and determine upon wise & proper measures to be recommended by them to all the Colonies for the recovery & establishment of their just rights & liberties, civil & religious.” The “declaration of the town of Boston,” to which you allude, is I presume, the same, which purports to be the production of a meeting of delegates from all the towns in the County of Suffolk; held at Milton, in which a numerous list of resolutions was passed and transmitted to Congress. The greivances enumerated in these resolutions, are declared to be “gross infractions of those rights, to which we are justly entitled by the laws of nature, the British Constitution and the charter of the province;” and in conformity with this is the subsequent declaration in Congress, “that the inhabitants of the English Colonies in North America by the immutable laws of nature, the principles of the English Constitution, a& the several charters or compacts, have the following rights.”
“Resolved 1st: That they are entitled to life, liberty & property; and that they have never ceded to any foreign power whatever, a right to dispose of either without their consent.
2d. That our Ancestors, who first settled these Colonies, were at the time of their emigration from the mother Country entitled to all the rights, liberties and immunities of free and natural-born subjects within the realm of England.
3d: That by such emigration they by no means forfeited, surrendered or lost any of those rights but that they were, and their descendents now are, entitled to the exercise and enjoyment of all such of them, as their local circumstances enable them to exercise & enjoy.”
“5th: That the respective Colonies are entitled to the Common law of England, and more especially to the great and inestimable privilege of being tried by their peers of the vicinage according to the course of that law.”
These are some of the leading principles contained in those declarations, and they fully recognize the complete & perfect existence of the Common law of England, and the Statute law also, so far as it was found consistent with & applicable to the particular situation & circumstances of the Colonies.
Although the Common law doctrine of evidence is not expressly recognized in the Constitution of the United States, nor in that of Pennsylvania, yet I conceive that it is implied in both, by the reservation of the trial by jury; the 5th: 6th: & 7th: articles of amendments to the Constitution of the U.S. relate to trials by jury in criminal & civil causes, and the bill of rights, both in this State & the Constitutions of its nearer neighbours Delaware & New Jersey, recognize the trial by jury, with all its incidents. The Constitution of the latter State, provides, “that all criminals shall be admitted to the same privileges of Witnesses & Counsel, as their prosecutors are or shall be entitled to.”
It is true that we are not originally indebted to our written Constitutions for any of the salutary maxims of the Common law, but there is no State in the Union, where they are not generally in full operation, the law of tenures & the ecclesiastical law excepted.
I find in 2 peer Williams, a memorandum dated August 1722 to the following effect. It was said by the Master of the Rolls to have been determined by the Lords of the privy council upon an appeal to the king in Council from the foreign plantations.
“1st: That if there be a new and uninhabited Country found out by English subjects; as the law is the birth-right of every subject, so wherever they go, they carry their laws with them, and therefore such new found Country is to be governed by the laws of England; though after such Country is inhabited by the English, acts of parliament made in England without naming the foreign plantations, will not bind them, &ca.”
This rule has been recognized by an adjudication of Ch: Jus: McKean, in this State who gave it as the opinion of the Court, that “the Common law of England has always been in force in Pennsylvania; & that all Statutes made in Great Britain, before the settlement of Pennsylvania, have no force here, unless the Colonies are particularly named.”
The several writers on the common law, enumerated in your letter, I have read though not recently, except some chapters in Reeve’s history & Hales history entire. In this latter work, I thought the ground work of Blackstone was to be seen; my edition is of 1792, with notes by Runnington, which are a very considerable improvement upon the original.
I have frequently referred to the preface in Fortescue, and been struck with the solemnity of the exordium. “The grand division of law is into the divine law, and the law of nature; so that the study of law in general is the business of men & angels. Angels may desire to look into both the one & the other; but they will never be able to fathom the depths of either, &ca. I shall read it with more attention hereafter. It will be a considerable work to discover  alterations, which have taken place in the Com: law by Statute, both in England and in our own Country; but my enquiries will be principally in this channel. The observations of Mr. Bayard did not escape me, and I expect to derive further assistance from the same gentleman by a recurrence to his speeches on the passage & subsequent attempts to repeal the sedition law.
The account of your Winter’s amusement contained in your favor of the 2d: March, was very pleasing to me, though I must be free to own, that in point of assiduity, I could not pretend to rival you, by enumerating the authors I have read, during the same period. If I can meet with the Memoirs of the Chevalier de Ravanne, I will read them. I have some idea of the profligacy of the Regents Court, from memoirs of the Duke de Richelieu, which was the first french work I ever read. It purports to have been written by the Duke himself, and is little more than a register of amours.
I am, with great attachment & respect, dear Sir / Your Son

Thomas B. Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Walter Hellen, 28 April 1802
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Hellen, Walter

Dear Sir.
Boston 28. April 1802.

I received last evening your favour of the 20th: instt: containing the distressing intelligence of Mr: Johnson’s decease; which I had indeed been in some measure prepared to expect, by a letter from Mrs: Johnson to Mrs: Adams, received a few days before—I endeavoured to communicate the melancholy event to my wife in a manner which might soften as much as possible the shock—The agitation into which it threw her, was however so violent that she has been quite unwell last night; and has not yet entirely recovered—She had flattered herself lately so much with hopes, that the stroke was quite unexpected to her.—In addition to her distress at her irreparable loss and that of her family, she was extremely concerned on account of Mrs. Hellen—Your letter of the 22d: however, which I have just given her, has relieved her mind in a great measure on this account, and given her as much joy as she was at this time susceptible of receiving.—We both join in congratulating you upon this new accession to your family, and hope soon to hear of Mrs. Hellen’s perfect recovery.
The situation in which Mr: Johnson has left his family is a subject of deep concern to our minds; and with you, I shall be happy to make every exertion in my power for their comfort—Just before he left England, he made a Will, in which he constituted you, his son Thomas (upon his coming of age) and myself his Executors for his concerns in America—Of this Will, I have a copy in my possession, and it is attested by my brother as one of the Witnesses—If there has been no subsequent Will, I presume it will be necessary to prove that, in the Maryland Court of Probate—I likewise suppose that you have a copy of the same Will, unless another has been made, and will take such steps as will be necessary for the probate; and for making such dispositions with regard to his property as may carry the Will as far as possible into effect—The State of his affairs is much better known to you than to me, and at this distance, it will perhaps be impossible for me to obtain such a knowledge of them as to enable me to act much in the capacity of Executor—I shall however be ready cheerfully to join in any measure which you may deem expedient for settling the Estate in the manner the most beneficial possible to the interests of his family.
With regard to his demands against Messrs: Wallace and Muir, I have heard nothing since I left Washington—I never had an opportunity to go into a complete investigation of all the transactions, but as far as I was acquainted with them, it appeared to me he had suffered such gross and flagrant injustice, that a representation of it properly drawn up, and presented to the legislature of his native State, was the properest expedient he could adopt, and the best if not the only remedy remaining to him—The proceedings of the Chancellor in particular are of such a nature, that a statement of his own decree—with his allegation of motives, his hand-bill, and in short the whole course of his proceedings must I think produce a salutary effect, presented to the impartial view of an honest legislative assembly, the common protectors of individual rights and of public Justice—I suggested this idea to Governor Johnson, when I had the happiness of seeing him at Frederick, and though he did not give a decisive opinion upon the subject, it appeared to me that he did not disapprove it.
If the suit has not yet been decided, his Executors must no doubt be now admitted to prosecute it, and for that purpose the probate of the Will must be made as early as possible—I shall be happy to hear from you on this subject, and to join in any possible effort to obtain that justice for his afflicted and distress’d family which was so cruelly denied to him.
With great regard, and attachment, I remain, Dear Sir, your friend and very humble Servt: