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

My dear Sir
Quincy March 20th 1816

I have recd. your favour of Dec. 16th. The Chicanery on the Law of Nations, is no surprise to me. A Lawyer of 58 years standing must have been acquainted with this Hobgoblin for 58 years, even though he has been pushing Bayonettes with him the whole time. The Chicaneries which I have Seen, and felt, in the Courts of England, France, and Holland, differed very little from those at the Bar, which I saw and despised from 1756 to 1775, or from those of all political and Ecclesiastical Parties which I ever knew, or of which I ever read. The Metaphysical and Jesuitical distinction, between Right and Liberty; will be found another “sine qua non,” or a Bout de Feu. If England has a Mind to make Us as warlike as herself, let her: But as sure as she pushes this Chicanery this distinction between Liberty, and Right, so surely will She loose her Canada, her Nova Scotia, her Cape Breton, and every Vestige of her Dominion in North America. I do not wish it. Catos delenda est Carthago, proved the detenda est Libertas Romæ. You have too much discreation to expose my crude Reveries, or coarse Expressions. Do your duty, as I know you will, and you need not be terrified for the Fisheries. If New England is base enough to be indifferent about them Kentucky, Tennessee and New Orleans, will become their Advocates and Protectors. For if We must be driven to War, Nurseries of seamen will be the sine qua Non of U.S.
If you ask how the Expression happened to be varied from Right to Liberty; ask Malagrida Master of Jesuits Colledge Berkley Square; ask Frankling, and ask Jay? I will not give my Memory, at present.
From one Species of Chicanery to another, the transition is easy, and the method Authentick. I have read Eight Volumes of De Grimm and am determined to read Eight more, and as many as there be, or may be. How is it possible that a rational Creature, a thinking Being should have thought the French Nation capable of a free democratical Government?
When I went to France in April 1778, and landed at Bourdeaux, with you my dear Boy, brooding under my Wing; I went with a determination to look at France with a Phylosophick Eye, Determined to discard all my Old England Prejudices, my American Prejudices, my New England Prejudices; my Puritan Prejudices, my Yankee Prejudices, and every othe Biass as perfectly as if I was travelling in Venus, Mercury, or Mars or in any of the fixed Starrs. You remember the Noise and Bustle We made, or rather was made for Us, and about us at Bourdeaux: None of this escaped my Attentive Observation: We travelled to Paris 500 miles, through France, and saw much of the National Character, and manners on the Journey. Arrived at Paris, and established at Passy, I went every where to Versailles, to the French Comedy, to the Italian Comedy to the Opera to the Churches, and the Palais. My constant question to myself was, “What kind of Religion and Government have produced these Effects.”? could a free Republick, or any Species of free Government exist with such a Religion? Such manners? Such Information and such Understandings? And my constant answer to myself was, No. As well might it be attempted among the Inhabitants of the Royal Menagerie, at Versailles. And this has been my invariable Opinion ever Since. You may as easily reconcile Heaven, and Hell as a Free government with the Roman, or Gallican Religion.
De Grim has represented Things in France exactly as I saw them from 1778 to 1782.
I cannot afford Brucker; but should be glad to have De Grimm and another Work, which I am now reading, “Histoire Generale, de la Naissance et des Progres De La Comanie De Jesus, et l’Analyse de Ses Constitutions et Priviledges, &c &c &c printed at Amsterdam in 1761, in four Volumes large duodeimo. This Work I am determined to have, for many reasons; too many to enumerate at present—
I rejoice in the Testimony you give me of the good Conduct and promising hopes of dear Boys. Thank Louisa and salute her in my behalf for so elegantly supplying the failure of your Sight
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 20 March 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My Dear Daughter
					Quincy March 20th 1816.

				I attempted to write to you, by Captain Bronson in Jan’ry but my strength failed me, and I have been ever since, in so low, and debilitated a state of Health, as to despair of ever recovering strength again, but for the last ten days, I have gained some, and my physician, encourages me, that I shall be benefitted by the returning Spring.I have not had any disease, such as fever, cough, or pain, except in my Head occasionally. it seems to, me to be an universal debility, and dissolution of my constitution.with the Blessing of heaven, and the kind assidious attention of my Friends, who hope to build me up, again upon Bark and wine, I have gained for the last ten days, and “kind Natures sweet restorer, Balmy Sleep” has again visited me.I had been deprived of this blessing, for near two months, save what was obtaind by the use of anodynes, and my Nerves have been dreadfully agitated. I am much fallen away, and am but the Specter of what I once was; but enough of this poor Frame, scarcly worth retaining—Since I wrote to you last, I have received your two kind favours, of Nov’br 27th 7th and dec’br 23d for which I thank you, and also for copying my sons.I rejoice that your health, appears to have mended, so as to be able to aid your best Friend, under the affliction which seazd upon his Eyes. If he could go to Bath, and take of the waters, and Baths—I think he would find much releif, from that Hereditary Scourge the Rheumatism—which proteus like puts on all forms; from pains in the Limbs, to disorders in the Eyes. this I know by painfull experience—as I presume he has not any Right to the Gout—he must try to rid himself, of its near Relative.In one of your Letters your mention mrs Hellen—early in the winter, and not long after the death of mr Hellen, she wrote to me in confidence, inclosing to me a copy of the will, and requesting my advice, whether she ought to accept it? at the same time stateing, that mr Hellens property was estimated from 50 to 60 Thousand dollars, part of which, was daily increasing in value.By the will, she could only receive four hundred dollars pr year, and living in the House; with the use of the furniture, so long as she remaind his widow—It is not my buisness to remark upon this will. with respect to her I soon made up my mind, and gave her the same advise; which I should have given to my own child.—I thought there was one near me, whose judgment I could better rely upon than my own; I communicated the will; and your sisters request. the result, was the Same; and we jointly advised her, to reject the will, and claim her dower; which she has done: and she has since written me, that the property left by mr Hellen, was found to be much larger than She had stated; so that with her dower, she will be in comfortable circumstances. She wrote me, that if she received her dower, she should not charge Board for the children—I think however she ought to make a charge of it.—it is a maxim with me; that children should go to their parents, not parents to their children—and that she should hold it, in her power to remit it to them or not as circumstances might hereafter arise. they have a double claim upon her, both as Aunt, and Mother—I took the Liberty to say to her that if she should marry again, she ought previously to secure to the Children, the property which belonged to their Father, after her disceaseI hope if she has ability, she will render kindness to those of her Family who need it, one of which, is a widow sister of mr Hellens, to whom, he left only 50 dollars—I had a Letter from your Brother dated 23 Janry he writes in good Spirits, altho he says, he is a Banishd man—and longs for the intercourse of consanguinity—I am rejoiced to find George so fond of writing, and really do think, that he improves in his hand writing altho his superscriptions look a little as if the Spiders had dipt their Legs in the Ink; and crawld over the paper.I had hoped, to have written you that your sister Smith, was Safe a Bed, with a son, or daughter, but I must wait for News from N york, which I daily expect, as they have promissed me John I perceive is the same gay Lad, full of fire and enterprize. strong and powerfull are his feelings, which promise a goodly harvest, if properly restraind, and directed—but we must bear in mind,“That what composes man can man destroy” of my dear Charles Character, I know but little, that little has been in his praise—Shall I ever behold them again?your Martha Godfrey is married, and I hear very well married to a mr John Osburn, a musical instrument maker—I rejoiced when I learnt it, for Martha was too handsome to keep  a milinars shop. her behaviour however has been perfectly correct, for any thing to the contrary which I have ever heard—Louisa desires me to be affectionatly rememberd to you, and to George and John—Susan is writing to George and will express her own Regards.we have been in danger of loosing our little John Quincy, with a Lung fever. he is now out of danger—Let me my dear daughter hear from you as often as possible. Letters from abroad refresh my drooping Spirits, and Light up the Lamp of Life affresh—Beleive me with sincere Love and / affection your Mother

					Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 March 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

					My Dear Son
					Quincy March 22d 1816—

				Your Letter No 80 December 27th 1815 I have received—Since my last Letter to you, which I think was in Jan’ry, I then wrote to you, under an impression, that it would prove my Last. But it has pleased Heaven to keep me yet longer from the Skies—I cannot Say, but at times, I have felt a regreet, at being like to return again to the world—of which I have, more of a prospect, than for months past.—The desire of seeing my dear Children once more, has been one of the Strongest ligaments, which has bound me to Earth.If I should recover Strength again to be usefull, to myself and Family, I Shall conclude, that there are yet further Duties for me to perform; or further trials for me too endure in either situation—“I trust the Ruler of the Skies”I have said so much of myself, in a Letter to your amanuensis, that it is needless to add any thing further.I am not a little anxious for your Eyes, and wish you, very much to try the waters of Bath, beleiving them to be specifick against Rheumatic disorders, which So much afflict our Family.—your Brothers little Boy Thomas has been seized with a Rheumatic fever—in Jan’ry which gave him much pain and for a time deprived him of the use of his Limbs for a time, and our little John Quincy, was taken with a Lung fever—we thought we Should have lost him, but they have both recoverd. so much for family affairs—You will see by the National papers, which I presume are regularly transmitted to you—That the Commercial Treaty has not been censured, for any thing which is containd, but for not giving too the country all it desired. Some things be sure ought to have been yealded by GB—compulsion is the surest argument with her.The oratory of the House of Reps has been displayd in long Speeches. whether it was not indispensable that the House should pass Laws, in order to render this treaty valid, and carry it into execution, the pro’s and con’s have taken up much of the Sessions out of the many pages upon this subject, I have read mr Pinknys Pinkneys Speech of many Columns, and mr somebody else in replie, and was well Satisfied, that the House of Reps, had nothing to do with it—Mr Pinkney has been nominated   & approved by the Senate as Minister to Russia. he was also nominated to Naples—this was rejected by the Senate, and mr P. refused his mission to Russia—mr P. knows what a foreign mission is—I think it will be a difficult matter, to find a person fit for that Mission; willing to accept it—I hope they will not, unless their Sallery is more ample.Here in this State, the Race has commenced between mr Dexter, and Gen’ll. Brooks, or as some stile him Dr Brooks a worthy good man—who is said to be more popular than Dexter—and the Devotees of Gov’r Strong will transfer their votes to him, without once asking, which of the two canditates, are is best qualified to Serve the State?To mr Dexter may be applied the speech of one of the officers, in Shakespears Coriolanus—”He hath deserved worthily of his Country, and his ascent is not by such easy degrees as theirs—Who have been Supple, and courteous to the people,But he hath so planted his honour in their Eyes, and his actions in their HeartsThat for their Tongues to be Silent, and not confess So muchwere a kind of ingratefull injury,To report otherways, were a malice, that giving itself the lye would pluck reproof and rebuke, from every Ear that heard it”I have a Letter from a Gentleman in Washington, high in office, who writes, “Boston may well be proud of her Dexter, who is displaying his Superiour talents in our Supreme Court here—”Your Brother has shown me a Letter from you in which you inform him, of having lent Money to several distrest persons. I would not discourage your compassionate feelings, but I fear you have been imposed upon by unworthy objects—I know how hard it is to shut the Heart, against distress, and importunity—Your Father sufferd  from Swindlers—and if I had not been a little more wary, and looked into characters, with rather more facility Col Norten, would have got, his hundred Guineys instead of 50,—which have never been, or will be pay’d—I name this as only one instance out of many. Your Brother will write to you, upon the subject.I thank you my dear Son, for your kind offer of executing any commission for me. I have arrived at an Age, when I have few wants for myself.Your Fathers zeal for Books will be one of the last desires which will quit him, and he will be often Sending to you for supplies—He has been reading a work of 16 volms by the Baron de Grimm. it has been an amusement to him Since my Sickness.My feeble Frame admonishes me to quit my pen. I write in my lap, with upon a Book. I must bid you an / affectionate adieu / Your Mother

					A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 22 March 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					Dear Harriet
					Quincy March 22 1816

				I received a few lines from you to night by mrs Adams; and rejoice in the returning health of your family. as you requested I wrote to you by wednesday post, & inclosed you J A Smiths Letter, and Several others, which I thought you would like to read,—but I find you had not got the Letter when you wrote—William wrote to me, that on the 17 March, (St Patricks day a dear pady) mrs Smith got to Bed with a son—and Caroline & her Family came to N York in the Steam Boat the Evening before, So you must direct to her there—I have a Letter to day from mrs Adams 23 Jan’ry. Send it you on Saturday—Tobe Tim’l is in Town & mrs Dexter by whom I send you this and the Books—My Letters I will send on Saturday by mr Adams to go to Liverpool. I have two ready, & hope to get three more finished. I write as I can hold out. I shall deliver your message to Susan. She may understand it. I do not, tho like a true New Englander—I can Guess—! She is at the reading party, and has not yet returnd—I can say, that I think myself, I am getting better & gaining Strength. when you can come & see us, it will do me good—and give pleasure to, all but to none more than Your Friend

					A Adams

					Love to your Mother & Sister


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to William Steuben Smith, 24 March 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, William Steuben

Dear Sir
Quincy March 24th 1816

I embrace the earliest opportunity to congratulate you upon the Birth of a son, and to rejoice with you, in the safety of Mother and child—who I hope may live and prove worthy of his Ancestors—I was writing to your Brother whom I received your Letter, and I communicated to him the agreeable intelligence
I should have sent Johns Letter for you to have a read, but I presumed you must have received Letters
I now inclose it to you; and. . .zd wish you to communicate it to Caroline—who I am glad to find is arrived in the City. If I should not be able to write to her news give my Love to her, and tell her I will soon
I have exhausted my Strength, in writing abroad, I am yet very feeble; altho better than for some time past I have a Letter from mrs Adams of the 27th Janry, she was then confined, with her & complaint St Anthonys fire, as it is called. I should rather he were preaching to his fishes, than tormenting my Friends
Remember me to your dear partner also present my congratulations to her—I hope my Life mat be spaired to see my third generation—your grandfather wishes you joy Louisa and Susan join in affectionate remembrance—your affectionate / G M

Abigail Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 March 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dr Sir
Quincy March 24. 16

I continue to live over again. De Grimm. Tome 3d Derncire Parte, page 304, has entertained me with the following Anecdote, “Mr Beaumarchais, has obtained finally, a reparation for his little retreat to Saint Lazere. In the first place, more than a Million has been paid to him, on his Accounts with the Government. In the Second he has received from Monsieur De Callone a Letter, infinitely honourable, in which that Minister writes him, that the Services he has rendered to the State in the last War, having been laid before the King, His Majesty had commaned him, to testify to him his Satisfaction, and to assure him, that he would Seize with pleasure opportunities to give him proofs of his Benevolence. In transmitting this Letter, it is said, The Minister added, verbally, the he had himself read to The King, his last Justificative Memorial; and that his Majesty had been well pleased (fort contente) with the Justice and Moderation with which this Memorial was written, and was obliged to him for it.” He was offered moreover, if his best Friends may be believed, a Pension, upon the Privy Purse of 100 Pistoles or 12,00 Livres; but the Modesty or the Pride, the Disinterestness or the rigourous Justice of Mr de Beaumarchais, thought it his duty to reduce it to one hundred Livres. The Representations of the Marrige of Figaro have reassumed their Course and the Seventy Second, did not attract less Comany than the first. It was remarked that almost all the Ministers attended, it. The Publick made the most flattering application of Several Strokes, to the Author. Above all, the Public applauded, with the most marked Affectation, that Phase of the famous Monologue: “Not being able to discredit the Witt, they revenge themselves by abusing it.” A few days after this glorious Revival, The Barber of Seville, was represented upon the little Theatre at Trianon, in the intimate Society of The Queen; and they condescended to grant to the Author


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 25 March 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					Dear Harriet
					March 25

				I received your note this morning and wish you had known that mr Shaw came out last Evening alone. I looked & looked at noon for him with Some Friend, but they did not come. I asked him why he did not bring you. he said he came of suddenly—The P. never found mr Lymans Note to you untill this moning or he would sooner have commissoned you to thank mr Lyman and Say that he did not think any one could properly appreciate the value of those Books who had not lived in France that it renews to him the Scenes and Some of the court intrigues to which he was witness—that as a critick he is the most correct of any writer he has read, that his knowledge is vast & profound—in that my dear spouse has in his old Age fallen in Love with the Baron de Grimm so much so that he has written to mr A to purchase the I shall write to Caroline now I know where She is to be foundplease to Send the handkerchief—I rejoice to learn that you are all upon the recovery—old people cannot recover lost Strength like Young ones—Saturday night, for no cause which I could assign—I had a sleepless night and yesterday felt meagre. last night I Slept well—Louisa wrote a note to you o She Says she has written about it—I have not any objection to mr Lymans Seeing the Letter you mention—I Send it to you by Susan—I do not know but you have Seen the Letter in mrs As hand writing which I inclose, the first part of which you will not communicate—mrs As Letter I Send alsoyours most affecly

					A A—

					I write in Bed I do not know if You can read it


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 March 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My Dear Daughter
					Quincy March 27th 1816

				I have already written to you by this vessel. her sailing haveing been delayed, I have the opportunity of acknowledging your Letter dated in Jan’ry, The contents of which are so flattering & complimentary, that I know not how to replie to it.—In the days of my youth, Female Education was very little attended to, in this Country beyond reading, and writing, and Arithmatic. a few rare instances where musick was taught—to read I was instructed, by my Grandfather for writing, I never had a Master, as you may well judge, by my hand writing at this day, but neither Gramer, orthography, or our Native Language, was considerd a part of Female Education, and I have through Life lamented the deficiency in this respect.—If as you say, I write with ease; it is all from Habit. as to Stile, I make not any pretentions to it, and must trust to the candour of my correspondents to receive the Matter, as flowing from the heart, without regarding the Elegance of diction—I might almost Say with Gays Hermit—“The little learning I have gained”“Is all from simple Nature drain’d”I cannot permit you to depreciate your own Letters. your Stile is much more correct and elegant than mine, and your Letters are much approved, and admired.In Letters from absent Friends, we want to learn Family, and domestic occurrence’s and I have the pleasure of announcing one to you, of a very agreable nature, viz, that your Sister Smith has a Son, born upon the 17th, Saint patrick day. upon the 18th, my Grandson William S Smith informd me of the event, and that the Mother and Babe were well—I hear your Sister Pope was not so fortunate, having lost a pair by a miss.—The British Minister arrived at Anapolis on the 15th—and Sent on the Letters addrest to us immediatly—If he comes with a concilitary temper as I hope he does, he and his Lady will be kindly received, altho surrounded with the devastation and havock, which his Sovereign has made in the capitol I should imagine, in a generous Breast, feelings, would be excited, not very pleasent, at the view.It is the Nature of our Country, not only to be hospitable to Strangers, but fond of them, and British importation especiallyMrs Mercy was said to be too haughty—and mr Jackson, was certainly both impudent and insolent.Americans must learn  become more National, and Respect themselves—I am grieved to hear that George has been so sadly afflicted. I knew how to Sympathize with him. it is a little Singular that his cousin Thomas should be Seaz’d with Same complaint, and loose the use of his Limbs about the Same time—my Physician recommends fricktion, with a coars cloth daily when the Limbs can bear it. I have myself found the benifit of it—my own debility this winter has largely partaken of this same Proteus.I must again recommend the Bath waters now they are within your reach.I once had a complaint similar to that which afflicts you, we call it St Anthonys fire, but I did not think there was any thing like a Saint about it, and I wishd the Saint had been preaching to his fishes, according to tradition,—instead of Lighting up his fire in my face.I have already written to George and John by this vessel. I have received their Letters by the British Minister, but shall defer replying to them, untill an other opportunity, as I shall to their Father, to whom give my Love, and tell him I rejoice to see his hand writing again, as it gives me the hopes that his Eyes have recoverd—Louisa desires me to be affectionatly rememberd to you, and the Boys. She has been confined all winter to me, to whom She has been a faithfull, Nurse, as well as superintendent of my FamilyDr Welchs Family have been very sick. mrs Bailey came upon a visit to them, and was taken with a fever, her Infant Baby with the hooping cough. her Eldest a daughter with the Measles followd by the same cough, in which they came near loosing her. Harriets Note of this morning, assures me that they are all upon the recovery— As I have not yet left my chamber, I am yet under Gaurdianship, and reminded that I sit to my pen too long, but if it was not for that, and my Books—I know not, what would console me, or Solace my lonely hours—Your most affectionate Mother

					Abigail Adams

					my paper is not good, but it is American manufacter & that must excuse it—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Charles Francis Adams, 28 March 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Charles Francis

					My Dear Charles
					Quincy March 28th 1816

				I must write you a short Letter, least you Should think yourself neglected, as I have written to both your Brothers, and your Grandfather is so much engaged with his Books that he cannot write to any of his Grandsons now.your Mother writes me word, that you have forgotten your Russian & German Languages. you should not forget, what you learn that is valuable. that is the misfortune of old Age, which I too often find to my own mortification—By this time, I suppose your daisys and cowslips begin to Bloom in your garden; while all here is like winter, the ground this week coverd with snow; I rode, out two days, last week in a close Sleigh.tell your Brother George that his school mate Coffin is gone to Carolina. I was mistaken in his being yet at Hingham. ask your Father if he will send me by some private hand half a pound of such fine sealing wax, as he uses I cannot get any fit to use in Boston—when you come home you will find a little generation of cousins; growing up. your uncle Adams has 5—and then come, an other generation of Sons, and Daughters, Great Grandchildren. I have three already—whom I never saw, and one whom you know, is gone to heaven—You write a very handsome hand my dear child; and your Brothers have improved very much. this makes glad the heart / of your affectionate Grandmother,

					A Adams


Title: From Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt to Harriet Welsh, 28 March 1816
From: De Windt, Caroline Amelia Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					New York March 28th 1816

				I intended my dear Harriet to have written You before now—but it has not been in my power this morning I recd. you packet with E’s letter & yesterday the welcome information of C M’s being out of danger—remember me kindly to her father & mother I rejoice that she has recovered—My dear Caroline is very well & very lively—we are now very pleasantly situated at Mrs. Kinsey No 5 Broad way our bed room is a front room on the first floor which with an infant I find very convenient Mrs. Keese’s was too public—generall 25 at dinner and we were all on the third story—Since I came to town I have procured a very clever woman for a nurse (mind, a dry one) but unfortunately she was yesterday taken very ill and remains so yet.—therefore I have not now as much time to write you as I wish—she is a married woman and lost her child in her confinement 5 months since—her present indisposition is in consequence of her illness at that time she suits me in every thing but her health—which is unfortunate I have however a prospect of getting another tomorrowI think dear Grand Mother writes in low spirits I sometimes fear I shall never see Ke again in this world—March is a trying month and if she gets through it—she may gain strenght, let me hear from you particularlyMrs. Smith is very well and the little boy likewise—You will probably have heard of my Uncle Justus’s death—my dear father has had—and will have a trying scenewould some fine pickled oysters be acceptable to G M—?I will write soon when I am more at leisire and answer all your questions ever your own

					Caroline


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigal Adams Shaw Felt, 30 March 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Felt, Abigal Adams Shaw

Dear Abby
Quincy March 30th 1816

It is So long Since I heard from you that I am anxious to hear from your own pen, how you have got through the winter, and your good Father?
For myself, I can Say that but little. I have had a very Sick time, ever since Jan’ry—I have not Sufferd much pain, but a great weakness and debility, like the breaking up of a constitution, never very robust, and very frequently assaild.
With the blessing of heaven, and the use of Bark wine &c I have obtaind Some Strength—altho Still feeble
your Brother has been very good in comeing to See me, and our dear mrs Foster has been much with me during my Sickness; Watchd by me for 5 Nights during my Sickness. Louissa has taken care of me, Night and day with unwearied assiduity; and Susan has been a good Watcher. I have had the Solace, which kind Friends could afford—
I know you will rejoice to hear that I have Letters from mr Adams and from mrs Adams, and the Boys up to the last of Jan’ry Mr Adams had been confined with an inflamation in his Eyes which terminated in an abcess under one of them, So that She has been obliged to write all his letters for him untill Jan’ry when he was again enabled to See and write—
George had been confined with a Rhumatic fever, but was again able to write—John Says he does not like Europe So well as he expected, and wants to get back again in his Simple Stile, he Says, if it lay with me, my words Show, I would Soon be there.
I have a Letter from John Smith, who had arrived, and appears well pleased with his Situation. William Smith has a son born to him, on the 17th of this month, as a Letter from him informs me, and Caroline de Wint reached the city of N york the Same day, with her Husband and Daughter they pass a month or two there. I expect them here during the Summer
I have heard that your Brother Peabody has been upon a visit to his Father, and that he judges more favorable of his affairs, than was expected. I most Sincerely hope that he has Solid grounds for his opinion—
When will you come to Boston & Quincy? You ought to be early in the Spring, if you expect to be ready in the Spring fall—I would ask, if it would if it would not do to celebrate your nuptials at Quincy? If I live, and recover my health, I know not what would give me more pleasure—and I Should think too, that my dear Sister may be permitted to behold us with a benign Smile of Satisfaction—we will talk further upon this Subject when we meet. Mr Foster has received an other quarters Rent which I have requested him to retain for your orders—
I hope soon to see you at Quincy, and request you to bring mr Felt acquainted with your / affectionate Aunt
Abigail Adams


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

My dear daughter
March 1816

I always like to send to every one some token of remembrance by writing to each, altho, I á derth of Subjects at the present day will not afford matter for amusement; a Letter upon Literary subjects, is not wanted in a country which abounds in every work of the kind, but as I do not consider, myself capable of being a reviewer—I shall only speak my private opinion, many of the modern writers have been much read and admired in America—none more than the writings of Scott & Lord Byron—of the last—he has a wild excentrick imagination—Some touching & pathetic strokes of oration & genius—but he is sarcistic gloomy malicious envious & unprincipled a Man neither capable of love or friendship—his genius is abortive and his tallents misapplied—such is my opinion of his Lordship & his writings—for mr. Scott I have much more respect, and a much higher opinion—in His Letters to his kinfellow, there is much of Benevolence & the niche of humane kindness—His other writings are all pure & chast, and as a picture of the manners of the periods to which he introduces his readers—may be considerd in the light of true History, embelished by fancy,—. We have a letter publishd as coming from the mediteranian descriptive of the manners & dress of the princess of Wales, which would do for a chapture sîc Romance as well as any we meet with & upon what principle is a devorce sought for by—according to her own account—and the English critics I presume will not question it. she might request a devorce as to any future Heirs from the  P. th —I beleive he has long ago put it out of his power to produce one—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 1 April 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

					Dear Sir
					April 1st 1816

				After three months Sickness, great part of which time, I expected to go hence & be here no more, I am getting up Some Strength, and returning Rest, has again blessed my Eyes that Sweet “restorer Balmy Sleep,” the best of Physicians to the agitated Nerves and feeble frame, is invigorating me again, and I am enabled to take my pen and acknowledge a Letter long Since received from mr Vanderkemp—in replie to his your inquiry respecting mrs More, miss Welch has been kind enough to collect the inclosed for me, which I Send you, and request you to return me when you have done with it—you ask my opinion of dean Swift? I ask you if you think a Lady ought to own that She ever read his works? those who are judges, think highly of his polical writings—his stile is Said to be elegant. he was certainly a great wit, in the estimation of the world, but I have seen wit defined by a poet, by negatives“Tis not a tale ‘tis not a jest”admired with laughter at a feastmuch less can that have any placeat which a virgin hides her face”that fountain must be impure from whence such poluted Streams could flow—as a mere versifier, for ease of Stile perhaps he Stands unequald—yet he Says of Pope & other poets his Brother poet“in Pope I cannot read a linebut with a sigh I wish it mineWhen in one couplet he can fixMore Sense than I can do in Six—”I like those writers who dignify & exalt humane Nature, not those who represent  Beings created a little lower than the Angles, as upon a level with the Brutes which perish. to be plain Sir I have always considerd dean Swift as prostituting fine talents to ignoble purposes—as a dissapointed Man—whose works were unfit for a Ladies Library—and whose head was turnd crackd, & See his gullivers travels—My good husband is so occupied in reading the works of the Baron de Grimm in French, that he spairs Scarcly any time in writing, which daily grows more irksome to him, as the tremour in his hands increases—an hour in the morning is almost the only time when he can use his pen—and that So Slowly, that he cannot write one page, where he could formerly write four—you inquire after my Son we have letters from him late in Jan’ry. he had been much afflicted with his Eyes, and unable to write for nearly two months. mrs Adams happily Supplid his place, and wrote for him—he had finally an abcess under the Lid of one Eye, which releived him, and he can now write himself—he observes that Peace to us will be the most healing of all medecines to our finances but that it is an opinion widly circulated there, that instead of healing their finances, it will prove their inevitable destruction—That nothing but a new War can save them—the affects of Peace, here, he says which proves so distressing, is the depretiation in the value of grain, and of the other productions of the Soil—The natural and inevitable consequence of which has been; the inability of the Farmers to pay their Rents the fall in the value of all landed Estates, a partial defalcation of the Revenue, and an aggravated soreness, under the burden of tythes and taxation—of France he writes, “I have not been informd when Louis the desired is to be consecrated with the miraculous oil from Sainte Ampoule—But in the mean time he is making processions in of the holy virgin to the Church of Notre Dame, and his Nephew the pious duke of Angouleme is walking bare foot with the monks, & instigating the Butchery of protestants, in the South of France—Such authority is surely not derived from a pigion—it is much to be regretted that in the decay of the Monastic orders, the practise of turning—les Rois fainéans into Monks, has gone out of fashion—The house of Bourbon would of itself people a convent, and be placed in a condition much more Suitable to their Characters, and Capacities, than upon the thrones to which they have been nailed by the Royal Hammersmiths of social order and Religion—”present me kindly to you Lady and daughter / and be assured of the Respect and / Esteem of your Friend

					A— Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 2 April 1816
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

				53.
					My Dear Brother.
					Ealing 2. April 1816.

				To acknowledge in their order the Letters that I have received from you, since my last of 22. January, I am first to mention a short one of 1. December, which was delivered to me, by Mr Tarbell—And I mention it particularly, because it contains an erroneous position, that the Aliens and Post–Office Laws of this Country, do not allow the conveyance of Letters by private hands—There have been Laws to that effect, but even while they were in force, they could not apply to Letters addressed to a foreign Minister accredited to this Government—No Letter directed to me was ever taken from any person bearing it, and if there had been, I should by application to the proper Department have obtained satisfaction for it, as a trespass upon the rights to which I am entitled by my situation—Sometimes by mistake, and unnecessarily, persons charged with Letters and Packets for me, have put them into the Post–Office, and then they come with a fleecing charge of Postage, which I am obliged to pay; but if they had ever been required by a public officer, to forward any thing by the Post, I should have refused to pay the Postage, and demanded the Packets or Letters as my property—But I understand that the Law itself was altered, the last Session of Parliament, and that any Letters may be carried by private passengers, gratuitously.Mr and Mrs Tarbell have been several weeks in London, and we have had the pleasure of seeing them there and here—They are to leave the City, with several others of our Countrymen, upon a tour to France, this day.I have already informed you of the receipt of the other Letters brought by Mr Tarbell—The New Packet, Captain Bronson has since then arrived at Liverpool, and brought your Numbers 10 and 11. of various dates in January and down to 2. February together with your account of the agency of my Affairs to the close of the last year—my remarks upon which I reserve for a future occasion.Mr Martin Carroll, I am afraid will prove such a debtor, as that nephew of President Wheelock’s, I forget his name, to whom as you remember, I once rendered a similar service at the Hague, and who to this hour has never, either repaid the money, or thanked me for the Obligation. I hope you will give me better tidings of Mr Frederic Pursh, from whom I have sent you three promissory Notes, for money lent him to enable him to return with his family to America.In my Letter of 22. January last, was enclosed an order upon the Commissioner of loans at Boston, to deliver to you, all Certificates of United States Stock standing in my name on the Books there, and to pay you the dividends. I also requested you, if a Bank of the United States should be established, to subscribe to it in my name to the full amount of that Stock, and to draw upon me for the specie part of the payment.Last week I enclosed to Mr Gulian Ludlow of New–York a Certificate for 2153. Dollars 60 Cents, Six per Cent Stock of 1813. requesting him to have the same transferred to my name, and placed upon the Books at Boston. This will make up, all the Stock part of the Subscription to the Bank, which I authorized you to make—I have now seen an outline of the plan for a National Bank as the Bill was brought into the House of Representatives in Congress—Should it pass in that form the payment of the Subscriptions is to be in instalments, at the time of subscribing, and at 6. 12. and 18. Months—You will of course draw upon me, only for the sum payable in specie at the time of subscribing, that is, according to the proposed Bank–Law, and to the authority given you in my last, for 1500 Dollars—and afterwards again as the instalments become payable—I understand that when the New Packet sailed from Boston, there was a premium upon Bills of Exchange on London, which was likely to rise yet higher—You will take care when you draw not to lose the benefit of the current rate of Exchange—And I pray you not to depart from the Instructions already given you to invest immediately in Treasury Bills bearing interest, or in the 7 per Cent Stocks, all the dividends you shall receive upon these funds—And I now further request you, at the Commencement of every Quarter to vest in the same manner, the whole balance of mine that may be in your hands—If the 7 per Cents or Treasury Bills are above par, then vest the balances in 6 per Cents—And let me have a statement every Quarter, of the fulfilment of these directions—I sent also to Mr Ludlow an order in my favour for 163. Dollars 58 Cents, and he will receive one Quarter’s interest upon the Certificate of 2153—60 which I transmitted—I have directed him to hold this money, after deducting his charges subject to your drafts. You will therefore draw upon him for it, and place it in the same manner. Likewise I desire you to draw the Treasury Notes upon the quarter’s interest on the Stock that was at Philadelphia, and keep or place them in the same manner—In no case whatever, apply to any other purpose, any part of these balances, or of any of the dividends on the Stocks, that you shall receive.I am greatly concerned at learning the dangerous illness of our most affectionate and beloved mother. We shall wait in extreme anxiety to hear from her again—The latest accounts we have concerning hers, are nearly three weeks later than yours, and they are the most encouraging to our hopes. May the blessing of God, complete her recovery, and grant her yet many years of life, and usefulness and comfort.I congratulate you upon the birth of your third Son, and thank you for my share of the name you have given him. I pray, that he and all your other children may live to be the joy of their Parents, and to do honour to the names they bear.An old Philadelphia friend of your’s, Mr Richard McCall, is now the Navy–Agent, for the squadron of the United States in the Mediterranean, and Consul at Barcelona—I am in correspondence with him; and in one of his Letters, he mentions with friendly recollection his antient intimacy with you.My family here are all well, excepting George, whose health has been very infirm since his arrival in England. During a great part of the Winter he has been confined, and for the last fortnight he has been again obliged to intermit his attendance at school. At the same time his growth continues to be as rapid, as that of his brother John is slow. John now enjoys fine health and Spirits; and only longs to be in the navy. My time is still so completely absorbed that I have none left for the amusements or the Curiosities of this Country. We are at a distance from London, which I find inconvenient, but having passed the winter here, I do not incline to return with the fine Season to the noise and smoke of the Metropolis.—The Prince Regent, has just returned from Brighton, where he has been confined two Months with several successive severe fits of the gout. He has not yet held a levee, since his return—His daughter, the Princess Charlotte is to be married this day fortnight, to Prince Leopold of Saxe–Coburg—You will read much upon all these Subjects in America, upon which you must not implicitly rely.Ever affectionately your’s

					J. Q. Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Adams, 5 April 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John

My dear John
Quincy April 5. 1816

“Learn Patience of a Friend”! You think you must go to sea. Well, I have no great Objection; provided you can command yourself; and your Constitution is Strong enough to support itself in all Climates, and through all Risques
But let me tell you, that to qualify yourself to be a Seaman such as Halley Rawley, Cook, Columbus &c. you must go through a course of Patient Study. You must make yourself Master of Geography, Astronomy Navigation and Naval Architecture. This will require Patience. But to this End you must have Patience. You must learn Vulgar and decimal Fraction, Algebra and Sir Isaac Neutons Universal Arithmetick; you must go through Euclids Elements, Trigonomity, plain and spherical; Dialing, Navigation Surveying, Spherical Trigonometry and great Circle Sailing, Conick Sections, Hydraulicks, Fortification Gunery, Projectile Forces, and even Sir Isaac Neutons Principia.
“What! Is my Grandfather laughing at me”! “Talking to me about Things that I understand no more, than a Swallow or a Sparrow in a Church would understand a Sermon of Dr Tillotson”!
Yes! Your Grandfather has Smiled a little in writing this Letter; but he is very Serious in his Advice to you. Look, before you leap. Deliberate before you resolve. Consider your Means before you determine on your Ends.
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 April 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

					My Dear Son
					Quincy April 7th 1816.

				Upon this day solemnized to me, by the anniversary of the death of my beloved Sister, and by the recent event of yesterday, which has cut off an other Relative from the Parent Stock, by the death of our Friend mr William Smith. my mind is so much affected, that I shall feel a releif in communicating my feelings.—I am still living, lingering upon the confines, of the Grave, where e’er this day, I expected to have been laid—But it has pleased Heaven to permit me a longer residence upon Earth, and my wish is; to fill up every hour of that time to some usefull purpose. Thus I have been endeavouring to pour the balm of consolation into the afflicted heart, of the partner of my deceased Friend; and Relative, who has been so repeatedly tried in the furnace of affliction.—Mr Smiths decline was rapid. he attended the last Session of the General Court, and has not been confined, not more than a fortnight—To this page I must add the death of mr Justus B Smith, upon his estate in Lebanon, upon the 13th of March.—We learn that he had been sick all winter, altho we did not hear of it, untill his death—he died Intestate, as your dear sister predicted, and for the harmony of the Family, it is best, that he did so. I learn by  a Letter from mr Johnson, that the estate is thought to be worth, an hundred thousand dollars—that the Col. and he will administer upon it—before we learnt, this circumstance, which was this morning communicated to us, by a Letter from mr Johnson, your Brother had written to William Smith at N york upon the Subject of your affairs. William was going to the valley upon the 2d of this Month, with his Aunt Nancy—he set out your Brother left home yesterday, for Plimouth, and Barnstable courts, and will not return this fortnight; perhaps three weeks, so that not knowing of this opportunity, he will not be able to write—I hope you will now be able to obtain that property which has so long been due to you; I think too that Williams debt ought to be satisfied. does your Brother know the extent of it? will it not be best for you to write to the Col. respecting it?I have been anxious, and mortified at the uncertainty in which you have been left by the Government, respecting your public expenditures and your outfit—There appears to be a Spirit, I will not Say of Liberality; but of Justice, prevailing in the National Counsels—they began by bringing in a Bill, to fix their own compensation. they past it with little opposition at 1500 dollars a Session, and an other Bill, has been brought forward to increase the Salleries of the Heads of departments, a thousand dollars, and that of the Judges, also, and foreign Ministers to twelve thousand. whether the Bill will pass—or be filterd down, I cannot say in the present Stage of it—Some time since, I wrote to my Friend mr Rush, and inclosed to him, your Letter of Novbr 24 to your Father, requesting him to get information upon the Subject.In reply, under date of 28 March, he writes me thus, “The enclosed Letter, of which you have been so good as to allow me the perusal; quite surpriz’d me—Whether the expences incident, to the instruction to mr Adams to repair from Russia to Gotenburgh have been allow’d, I am not as yet intirely certain—I certainly think they ought to be.—I presume they have been.—but that he was to be allow’d a distinct and regular outfit, on his translation to the court of London—I am sure, for it was the subject of deliberation in which I participated, and to which none objected.—it is certain that he has been written to, to this effect.—when I cannot say precisely—but some time, as I think, before the meeting of Congress.—in the first instance, there had been some little demur—for fear the words of the Law, were not broad enough, but the Scruple yealded to further consideration”Mr Pinkney will go to Russia. he has reconsiderd—and leave a profession, in which mr Rush, says from what rest upon his own positive knowledge, he derives an income, from twenty to 30 thousand dollars pr an.!!does not this prove the natural restlessness of Man? who unmindfull, of the Sagacious Spanish proverb, that when you are well, stand still, is still struggling to be better—“shall man alone; whom rational we call“Be pleas’d with nothing, if not blest with all?”old Massachusetts has not yet obtaind the Redeeming Spirit. the old leven still ferments; and altho it has not been able to leven the whole mass, it has gained an ascendancy and the Spirit of party, so ambitious of conquest, is driven forward by passion, over which judgment has little controul—The present prospect, is that Gen’ll Brooks, will be Elected Govenour—he is a Worthy Man, and has an amiable Character. but who will compare his tallents with mr Dexters—?By a vessel which saild for Liverpool last week—I wrote to you & to mrs Adams and the Children—I have not time now to write by this vessel to them—She advertized for the 15th or 20th—but I learnt last Evening that she would sail this day. I hope however to get this Letter on Board—I pray you to excuse me to mrs Adams and the children.—Susan says she wrote a Letter in Boston to John and sent it on Board—I should like you to send me the Edinburgh quarterly Review—What can I send you from this country? but / the Love and affection of your Mother

					Abigail Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 7 April 1816
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Shaw, William Smith

					Dear Sir.
					Ealing 7. April 1816.

				During my present Residence in Europe, I have had the pleasure of receiving one Letter from you, dated the 4th. of April 1815. which was delivered to me, on my first arrival in this Country last Summer, by Mr N. A. Haven, of whom it was introductory. I have attributed to the multitude of your occupations my not having heard oftener from you directly, and it has been a satisfaction to me, under the privation of your correspondence to be assured that you were always well employed.There was a Mr Champion, an Englishman, who called upon me last Summer, and informed me that he had been some years ago in Boston, and well acquainted with you—He seemed desirous of being employed by you to purchase books for the Athenaeum, and intimated, that with his knowledge of the business, very advantageous bargains might be made—But he desired me to transmit a Letter from him to President Kirkland, which I did, and he gave me the perusal of it, which I did not so much admire as he had perhaps expected I should. From the opinion it gave me of the writer, I did not think proper to recommend him to you as a Commissioner to purchase Books, and I have not seen or heard from him since.Among the collection of my books which you have at the Athenaeum there are I think about twenty odd Volumes, of Dodsley’s Annual Register. As I may perhaps have here an opportunity for completing the set, which I wish to do, I will thank you to send me a list of the Volumes which are there, and of the years to which they belong.I shall be happy to hear from you, whenever your leisure will allow you to write, and I pray you to remember me kindly to all friends in Boston, and most especially to Judge Davis.Being ever faithfully your friend and Servt

					John Quincy Adams.


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 8 April 1816
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

					My Dear Sir.
					Ealing 8. April 1816.

				Your indifference, as to the result of the Elections to the Presidency of the United States, and to the office of Governor of your own Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which I find avoided in your favour of 7. February is the best of all possible political symptoms—It proves, first that you consider all the Candidates as men likely to fill the respective Stations, if elected to them, with credit to themselves and usefulness to the Country—Secondly that you consider no important principle of administration, external or internal to be involved in the issue—Thirdly that the virulence of party Sprit, continues to subside among us, and that there are no conflicting interests in immediate operation, threatening our National Union, or the unutterable horrors of civil War.Of this there has been a deep impression upon my mind, of great and imminent danger—And although I cannot share in your total indifference between the Candidates mentioned by you, I not only concur in the belief that no material public injury will result from the success of either of them; but that of the present moment is not to be named.The selection of the federal Candidate for Governor of Massachusetts has much surprized me—In November you gave me a list of nine names then talked of, but that of Brooks was not among them—Assuredly the General would have my vote in preference to most of them, for I never heard of him as a Hartford Conventionist; but he has been so little known in public life at all, and has gone along in such an easy, even tenor, that I should not have dreamt of him, as the Candidate of those who plotted that not able confederacy—It is the worst thing I ever knew of him—I have seen the electioneering address in his favour; and find that not only his own honourable services in the Revolutionary War, are very properly alledged in support of his pretensions, but also that he is said to have two sons in the public service, during the late war, that one of them fell in the glorious Battle upon Lake Erie. Those are to my mind strong titles to public gratitude, and would be powerful motives to influence my vote But what can they be to those who grudged even a vote of thanks for the victory on Lake Erie, and all others atchieved by their own Countrymen—To those who in the struggle of Life and Death, hailed the Public Enemy, as the Bulwark of our Holy Religion—To those who not only avowed their approbation of the infamous principle of the Press–gang, but who while thousands, of their own brethren, natives of their own State were groaning under the bondage of British Impressment, instituted a mock legislative enquiry, and reported in the face of mankind that they could ascertain only eleven Citizens of Massachusetts who had been subjected to it—How can those aiders and abetters of the Man–Stealer, hold it up as a claim of merit in General Brooks, that he had a son who died in a cause, so reprobated by their abhorrence? But I should be still more embarrassed to account for this, had I not been informed that my old friend Otis writes to his Correspondents in this Country, that the issue of the War has been to give our People a consciousness of their own strength and confidence in themselves—and he has even given warning, that if Great–Britain should again provoke us into a War, she will find us far more united against her than we were in the last—Burke says that Charles Townshend, always hit the house of Commons between wind and water—Otis has spent his life in hitting the opinions of the People of Massachusetts between wind and water—After his exploits at the Hartford Convention and his ΠΑΡΑΠΡΕΣΒΕΙΑ to Washington, when he was so seasonably accompanied from Baltimore to that City, by the Messenger bearing the Treaty of Ghent, it was certainly very gratifying to me, to be told that he was writing to his friends in England that the next War between the United States and Great–Britain would exhibit us more united than the last. Not that I placed much reliance upon it as a promise—But it was the evidence to me where the wind and water line now is, and has been since the Peace—As the election is at this moment decided, there can be no harm in the avowal that my vote would have been for Dexter; one reason for which would have been precisely because he has not been so skillful in aiming at the Wind and water line, as my friend Otis, and because he did not wait till the next War, to take the side of his Country, in a quarrel with Britain.As you have read the Correspondence of the Baron de Grimm, I hope you will have opportunities to peruse that of La Harpe, with the Grand Duke Paul of Russia, that of Mademoiselle de l’Espinosse, and that of Horace Walpole, with Madame La Marquise du Deffant—I have read none of all those Books myself, for in Russia they were not to be procured, and since I left St: Petersburg I have had time to read nothing, not even Edward Search’s Light of Nature. But the Grand Encyclopedian coterie has been disclosing its beauties and deformities to the world in all those Correspondences, and in all probability there are more disclosures of the same kind yet to come—All I know of Grimm is that he was a German Baron, I believe a Saxon—A man of Letters, who after having made some unsuccessful literary attempts in his own language and Country, went and lived at Paris, among the “economists and calculators”, learnt to write French as if it had been his native tongue, and furnished several Articles for the Encyclopaedia. The Empress Catherine gave him a title of Counsellor in her service, and a cross of one of the Russian Orders, and he was the most intimate friend of Diederot. I should suppose his own Correspondence would give you many more particulars about him.If a time should come while I reside in this Country, for granting me some of the leisure, which you have supposed I should enjoy, I shall endeavour to get some knowledge of the present state of literature here, and to amuse you with some account of it—As yet I am so chained down to the table, that I am forbidden any sort of excursion for the benefit either of body or mind.I am desired to present to you the respects of two persons, who claim acquaintance with you of antient date—one is the Chevalier de Freire, now the Minister from Portugal at this Court; and the other is Mr Richard Sharpe, a member of the House of Commons, whom I occasionally meet in Society, and who says he has very recently been in Correspondence with you.If the Politics of our own Country have no interest for you those of England must have less than one—There is nothing of  more importance to talk than that of the Prince Regent is recovering from the Gout, and that the Princess Charlotte his Daughter is upon the brink of marriage—We are all well, and I remain ever affectionately yours

					A.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 April 1816
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Mother
Ealing 8th. April 1816

We wait with much anxiety for Letters, to reassure us on account of your health; although the last accounts were highly favorable, for which I am indebted to my old and valuable friend Harriet Welsh, we yet cannot feel perfectly satisfied, until we are assured under your own hand, of your complete restoration to the blessing of health.
I am at last enabled to answer your questions concerning the Queen, to whom I was presented about three weeks since. Her Majesty is grown fat and looks in very excellent health, and appears to support the fatigue of the drawing room wonderfully, as she stands throughout the ceremony; This is however much changed since you were here, the Queen being unable to go round the Circle, as she did formerly. She now stands still and recieves the Ladies, who simply pass through the room stopping immediately before her Majesty, who addresses a few words to them as they pass. The room being very small the Ladies do not remain in it five minutes, and I think the present Drawing rooms, might with great propriety be stiled reviews, as the Ladies literally file off at the word of command. I was presented by Lady Bathurst, owing to Lady Castlereagh’s being too late; the Queen received me very graciously, and I was not more than half an hour at Court. Last Thursday I was induced from curiosity to see the Princess Charlotte, and the Prince of Coburg, to attend again, but was quite disappointed neither of them being there. The Queen received me again in the most gracious manner, and I had every reason to be satisfied. I took particular notice, as I had been informed that she received American Ladies with masked coldness.
We are now in anticipation of the Marriage, to which it is said all the Diplomatic Corps, and their Ladies, are to be invited. To the astonishment of every body the Hoop is to be dispensed with, on this occasion; They say the Marriage is to be as private as possible consistent with established ettiquette. The Regent is not yet well enough to shew himself in public. I have not seen him.
Pray offer my congratulations to Mrs: Adams on the birth of her Son. Present me respectfully to my father, and remember me to all the family, and believe me ever most affectionately yours

L. C. Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 18 April 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					Dear Harriet
					Quincy April 18th 1816

				Self, Self, is very often the first consideration I therefore begin my Letter by Saying I have had three good Nights. the Tincture of essence of hops, has contributed to them but it gives me the head ache. the weather is so worse than wintry, that I dare not encounter it abroad, so am deprived of exercise I ought to take.—the P has been Sick ever since Saturday with a most sad cold, taken on riding on horse back, the day Louisa was in Town. he has kept Chamber ever Since; and is now something better, but on Sunday, I was much allarmed for him. he had a good deal of fever, and was much opprest upon his Lungs. by the use of Antimony; and Hysop  & flax seed, he is getting the better of it, and an other visit from the Baron de Grimm will contribute to his cure, I hope—I had anticipated a visit from you this week, and wisht it the more earnestly, as Louisa is alone. Susan & Lucy G. are gone to the exhibition at Hingham, and to pass a week with the miss Thaxters—I shall be very happy to see mrs otis when ever she will favour me with a visit—I go down Stairs when the weather is pleasant, but do not remain there long, as we are so exposed to visiters, some of whom I could not see. we had two this week whom I should have liked much to have seen, commodore Hall, and mr Hughes, the Secretary of the Peace Legation—his visit to the P. was very pleasant and the more so, as his most his whole conversation was a panegyrick  panegyrick upon mr Adams his curiosity in visiting, and examining every thing worthy of notice his patient investigation, of his dilligence, and application to buisness, of his Regularity, his great facility and ready utterance of the French Language—were to the astonishment of the Dutch reinheîs, when they gave the entertainment to the American ministers, of which you know we had some account in the papers. it fell to mr Adams as first in the commission, to reply, which according to the Narator, he did extempora, in so apt and elegant and appropriate language that the Dutch men cried out. he speaks french like a parisianTo any one but you dear H I should not have been so garulous. you take so much pleasure in my pleasure, that I could not avoid telling you. can you inform me where mr Hughes boards—I wish W Shaw could meet him—he is much of a Gentleman, and if I was well, I would have him here to dine—I have only a Short Letter from George & not a line yet from mr A—I took my pen only to say that I thought not to have the crape—I do not want it at present, and I want other things more—may hap I may change my mind—if I should you shall hear of it—do dear H come soon and see / your constant Friend

					A A—

					Bring him this and all other Scrawls from A A


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 18 April 1816
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					85.My Dear Mother.
					Ealing 18. April 1816.

				We are waiting with great anxiety to hear again from Quincy, and pray that they may bring us favourable accounts of your health—We have none later than of 19. February, which came by the New Packet, and which were received nearly a Month since. Mr and Mrs Tarbell are gone with Mr: and Mrs O. Everett, and Captain Stuart to France. We have a constant succession of our Countrymen coming and going; but few that remain for any length of time. I am glad that my father’s Portrait and your’s have at length been obtained from Mr Stewart; and regret very much that the engraving of my father’s was not made from Stewart’s Picture, instead of Mr Morse’s. The Design of Mr Delaplaine’s Collection is very good, but the Execution is far from corresponding with it. Some of the Portraits are badly painted, and others ill–engraved—There came a man here some Months ago with the cole collection—I took as many of them as were not absolute caricatures; but that was scarcely one half—I likewise took Perry’s victory on Lake Erie; but Mr Alston tells me it is good for nothing.Our boys are at home for a week on account of the Easter Holidays—Yesterday Mr George Joy took them to see Hampton–Court—and this day they should return to school—but learning that Captain Bronson is in London, they are so anxious to go and see him that I could not refuse them the indulgence, and they are to take this opportunity to see sundry Sights in the great City—Mr Sanders, who was their fellow–passenger from America, as since ben to Hayti, from whence he has just returned—He came out to see us yesterday; and the boys are going to accompany him on their excursions. You will perhaps hear, that “Mr and Mrs Adams, the American Ambassador,” were at the Lord Mayor’s Easter Monday dinner and Ball; and I am sorry to add, that in consequence of it, Mrs: Adams, was all day yesterday confined to her bed. The crowd at the Ball was so excessive that there was no room for dancing until after two in the Morning—We had retired soon after Midnight.I send you Paul’s Letters—Paul I suppose you know, is Walter Scott.Ever Affectionately your’s

					A.


Title: From Richard Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 20 April 1816
From: Rush, Richard
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					Respected Madam.
					Philadelphia April 20. 1816

				I am here on a visit of a few days to my remaining parent, enjoying as much happiness as a son can, under her kind roof. I am sure it will afford you pleasure, madam, to hear that her health is perfectly good, and her situation in all things comfortable and happy. Hearing me say I intended to write to you, she requested that I would present to you her affectionate and cordial remembrance.Since I have been here, I have been applied to by three different persons for letters of introduction to the Minister at London. As yet I have complied with neither of the requests, but fear that, in one of the instances, I shall be obliged to. I determined to take this opportunity of a special letter to apologize through you, (hoping some fit occasion may perhaps occur of its being mentioned to Mr Adams,) for the trouble I throw upon him in this way. I feel, indeed, an extreme repugnance to it upon all occasions, and refuse or evade wherever it is possible. I feel happy that I have been able to do so in a great plurality of cases, for I well know, through a thousand correct channels, how burdensome and oppressive such drafts upon our foreign ministers are, more especially at the court of London. So will they continue to be until our senators and representatives can open their eyes to truth, justice, and sound policy upon the subject. I think that in the home system, we may continue to go along pretty well as it stands; though, to be sure, the pay is low enough. But if the allowance of our ministers abroad is to continue as heretofore, I declare for one that I think we had better cease to send them.I pray, Madam, that this letter may reach you in good health; and I beg leave upon this, as upon all occasions, to express the very high and respectful attachment which I ever cherish towards yourself and your venerable and illustrious husband.

					Richard Rush.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 23 April 1816
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

				86.
					My dear Mother.
					Ealing. 23. April 1816.

				I wrote you last week by Captain Bronson, and sent you a Volume of Letters from the Continent, about the Battle of Waterloo and the like, by the Poet Walter Scott—I now send you a Newspaper in which you will find certain effusions of another personage, who is not only a Poet but a Lord—He has been married little more than a year, and is already separated from his wife—Partly, as his verses acknowledge, in consequence of some fault of his own, and partly as they alledge, by the suggestions of an evil Spirit in the shape of a governess, intriguing to embitter and envenom the resentment of his wife, and to make it unplacable—The Lady, it seems thought it necessary to fly for refuge with an infant daughter to her father, and scandal having become unusually malignant in her whispers against the noble Bard, he wrote the two Poems, which you will find in the Paper.—Had his real object been to obtain reconciliation and forgiveness, it is impossible that the Verses addressed to the wife should have failed of success, had they been alone. But the burning caustic of the other poem, took off all the healing virtues of the Farewell; the Lady was inexorable, and the Separation has been finally consummated—Lord Byron leaves England immediately, and will probably close tragically his wild and eccentric career.In the profound tranquility that prevails over the whole civilized world, there is nothing stirring to excite an interest, but the adventures and misfortunes of individuals—The Deaths and Diseases, and Marriages of King’s and Princes form the most prominent Articles in the News of the time. There has been for some Months much complaint of distress in this Country owing to the cheapness of agricultural produce; but the prices are rapidly rising again, and the clamour has already subsided. The Prince Regent has recovered from his fit of the Gout, and the Princess Charlotte his daughter is to be married next week to the Prince of Coburg.We are all well, and the boys have just returned to school after the Easter Holidays Yours with unalterable affection

					A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Sarah Smith Adams, 24 April 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Sarah Smith

My Dear Daughter
Quincy April 24th 1816

I this morning received your Letter, dated the 10th I sympathize with you, under the repeated Bereavements you have been call’d to Suffer. your graces, and your virtues, are now call’d into action. it is not Stoical indifference, but a christian Submission, and resignation to the all wise dispensations of your heavenly Father, which is required of you. alive to the tenderest sensibilities, you are not forbiden to mourn—Nature requires it, and he who took upon himself Humane Nature, know’s that our Frame, is but dust, and will sustain you. these are the occasions, when the mind must take refuge in religion—upon what other stuff can it lean for consolation? and when we have no help in ourselves, what can remain, but that we look up to a higher and greater power? and to what hope may we not raise our Eye’s and hearts when we consider that the greatest power is the best.
I know you feel it a subject of painful recollection, that you did not see your Brothers, before they left the world. your Brother Justus, I learn, had been confined all winter, altho not thought to be dangerous, I know that both he and James were sick last Spring.  When John Smith went up from N york to them, but I never knew the Nature of their complaints. your Brother William must have had a severe trial of his fortitude and Sympathy. I fear Nancy’s Nerves are ill calculated to sooth him, or support herself.
my own feeble state of health, has led me through the winter, to believe, that I should never be restored to so much strength as I now enjoy. yet that strength is but weakness, and a small matter would lay me low, a sudden and universal debility, with a wastting of the solids was my principle complaint. this produced Nervous complaints, and the whole train of weakness connected with it. I cannot yet sleep regularly, I want air, and exercise, but the weather is so cold, and unpropitious that I never knew a more backward spring. there is not yet any vegetation with us. since I wrote to you, I have been call’d to mourn the loss of two relatives. Mr William Smith of Boston, whom you well knew, as an amiable good man, and a patient sufferer under many heavy afflictions. he has long been in feeble Health. but kept house only a fortnight, having attended the gen’ll court through the Session. from his consumptive complaints, we were in some measure prepared for his dissolution—but not so for the death which took place last week—Mrs Bondman, Suzy Adams that was, got to bed with a dead born child, and paid the forfeit of her Life, to the birth of her child. Brothers family are in great affliction, as you may well suppose she left three children. Shall we not say with Jobe, that man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards.
The p received a few lines from mr Johnson, which he intended to replie to, but has had and is still labouring under the weight of one of his dreadful cold’s, his Eyes so much affected, that he has not written a line these three weeks in that Letter mr Johnson says, that he was to be united to your Brother is administering upon your Brothers estate. I was rejoiced to hear it. I should Suppose, that it would require an active experienced and capable Gentleman, more experienced in the ways of men than the Col., who in his dealings with the world, has been too apt to be imposed upon by specious appearances—fair words and promisses, “and thinks, that there is no harm, where no harm seems” the world must be dealt with, as it is, not as we might wish it to be
We have had a Letter from John Smith dated 9th Febry. he appears to be pleased with his situation, but looks to America, as the only Land of freedom and independence
George and John have been very good in writing; Susan has been upon a visit at Hingham, this week past. I expect her return tomorrow.
How are Abbe’s Eyes. shall I never see her hand writing again? my Love to her, and a kiss for the Sweet Boy, such he must be if he resembles his Mother.
I hope when I hear again from you that your mind will have attaind  more composure and your Body be restored to more health. both of which are sincerely wished you, by your / Affectionate Mother
A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 24 April 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My Dear Daughter
					Quincy April 24 1816—

				By a vessel which saild a week since, I wrote to my Son, and Grandson’s. by this I shall write only to you, and acknowledge your favour of 2d Jan’ry. I was very sorry to learn that George had been attack’d with a Rheumatic complaint, a disorder, which when once in the constitution, continues a torment through Life. Georges Growth, has been so rapid, that he must not be forced to great exertions, in his Literary pursuits.I have the Authority of Dr preistly to say “that it is well known, that if we expect that Boys should ever make valuable Men, they must continue some time in the State of Boys, or they will never make Men worth forming”I have sometimes feared, that a desire to see George, improve in proportion to his Size, might lead his Father to oblige him to closer application, than his constitution will bear.John will make a good Student, when he has sowed his wild oats—his capacity is quick, and his Spirits ardent. excite their ambition, and emulation will follow.I cannot communicate to you, any thing respecting your Friends at Washington—I have not had any Letters from them, since I wrote last to you. From N York, Caroline informs me, that your Sister, and son were well. mr Smith had been called away to Lebanon, upon the Death of his uncle Justus, and before he reachd there; a messenger informed him of the Death of his uncle James, about a fortnight after. I am anxious to hear from there. If Col Smith should remain there, I think it probable, that mr Smith will go there with his Family, but as yet, no arrangement has taken place—I hope their is an handsome property for each of the Heirs.The injustice which has been done your Family, by the partners of your Father, will be visited upon their posterity—I should rather be the sufferer by the loss, than the agressor rather Suffer wrong, than do wrong. this is however but a poor consolation to the oppressed—America at this hour, is the happiest and freest country in the Civilized world. what can she want or wish for more? I hope—not a gratefull heart, nor a suitable acknowledgment to that Being, in whose hand, is the Destiny of Nations, and who has made us to differ.The News papers inform us, that a Love match is like to take place, between the Princess Royall of England, and prince Leopald of Germany.—a Love match is a rare thing in a Royal house—She has seen enough to disgust her, in her own Family—against any other—the good gentleman will however be considerd in a subordinate State if she should ever come to the Throne—mr Huges, the Secretary to the peace commission, made us a visit. the P. was much pleased with him. being still confined to my chamber I did not see him—to my no small regret, as he was highly in praise of mr A. to whom he appeard to be strongly attachd—two days Since I received a Letter from mr A. of Febry 7th by way of N york, and one from mr Smith to his Grandfather. the Jan’ry Letter has not yet reachd us by mr Bagot I do not know how to let a vessel Sail without a few lines from us.yours most affectionatly

					A A

					PS. Love to my Son & Grandsons


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 27 April 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

Dear Harriet
Saturday morng 27 April 1816

I am much dispirited by the weather which prevented the intended visit of you and your Friends, I promised myself much pleasure in it and wished for a conversation with mr Lyman upon the News. I recollected his account of the Bourbons  and the temper of the French Nation as it respected Napoleon, they found themselves humbled mortified deprest  and saw no disposition in the Monarch raise them to Glory as they consider it. the Whole Nation military restless and Angry at their Humiliation, they have again Submitted to the Emperor, hailed him with transports of Joy “what shall we say? what shall we think of him whom rational  we call”
here is mr Adams and I have not half spun my web. I say come next week only let me know when. you recollect I left with you a Hnd. dollar Bill for mr blacks washed stockings of which stockings I am in some want. the man cant wait. so no more at present from

 A A


Title: From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 27 April 1816
From: Cushing, Hannah Phillips
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

					Northampton April 27th. 1816

				It was with heart felt sorrow my Dear Friend that I learnt by your kind & affectionate letter how dangerously ill you had been, & of your long confinement; but hope ere this through the blessing of heaven balmy sleep, bark, wine &c. you are restored to a comfortable state of health, & that I may yet enjoy the pleasure of your society. It is but seldom that I meet in company friends of my youth, they are mostly gone to the world of spirits; & it is time for me to fix my affections more firmly upon the Rock of ages, & to place my chief happiness beyond this scene, in a firm belief of a reunion with those near & dear friends that still bind me to earth, as well as those whom I once knew whose lives were as dear as my own existence, & occasioned such heart rending sorrow at their departure. Had my eyes permited me to write on my arrival at Midn I should have expatiated on the joy it gave me in once more visiting the place of my nativity, after an absence of near four years. It was not however without alloy at as it contains the dust of near & dear Relatives. In the course of the winter we received the sorrowful tidings of the death of my beloved Nephew John Bowers, who had resided at New York, but being out of health in the Autumn some of his friends thought a voyage might be advantageous, & he went with his brother Lloyd to the Spanish Main where he took the yellow fever, & after eight days illness expired. His Mother supports this sore affliction with calm resignation, & silent grief. He was a very fine youth of twenty two years.Three weeks since Mr Phillips came with me to Suffield, where I passed a fortnight with Nephews, & Nieces, & then Parson Gay accompanied me here, to visit my dear Mary in her new habitation, & find her very happily situated with a Husband who stands on high ground as to reputation, & I believe justly so. His five Children appear to be fond of her, & she of them.This Town is so much shanged with in eighteen years that I should not have known it. An elegant meeting House has been lately built, which contains the largest congregation I have ever seen. The Court house is also new, & many handsome dwelling houses. The society is good, & in short I am delighted with my Nieces prospects At the same time I consider her a great loss to our part of the country. It is my intention to return to Midn. in ten or twelve days, & some time in May to go to New York, for the two Daughters of my youngest Brother, & to take them to Scituate, where I promise myself much enjoyment with them. They are said to be fine children, but I have not seen them for seven years. So you see my dear Friend as one Niece marries after another I am still provided for.I am so much in the habit of relaiting the incidents of my family to you, that I trust no apology is necessary for thus digressing. To return to the subject of your letter. Mr Adamss privation of eye sight during the winter I greatly regret, & hope & pray that it will not be permanent, as it would not only be a great misfortune to himself, & family, but to our Country. Such a character is rarely to be found in any community. My love to Miss Smith, & Miss S Adams, & say that I wish much to see them. It was delightful to meet Mrs Beal at Midn; offer my love to her; & kind wishes that she may enjoy better health. My thanks are due to you for the extract from Mr Rushes letter. Mr Dexters great talents & independent mind, are highly estimated by me, & I have no doubt but that he would make a dignified first Magistrate. It is to be feard that the love of Country does not predominate; yours will be lasting through life. Many Persons here appear to be greatly engaged in religion, which is a subject we ought all to set the highest value upon. Tuey eveg there was a Lecture, Wedy was Fast, appointed by the Clergyman, at the  request of some of his people; In course of the day & eveg four Sermons were delivered, by four Clergymen, who happend to be here, & yesy (Friy) another Lecture, & a good Sermon said to be deliverd, by another Clermn. hapg in. What will you say of your Friend who has heard but Sermon since the Sabbath.I am grateful that my eyes are so much better as to enable me to converse with you my beloved friend in my hand writing, but they were warn me that it is time to say adieu. Mrs Ashman requests her best regards to you, The President, & Miss Smith, in which she is joind by your Affectionate

					H. Cushing

					When you see Mrs Quncy do offer my best regards & condolance to her for her bereavements.


Title: From François Adriaan Van der Kemp to Abigail Smith Adams, 29 April 1816
From: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear and respected Madam!
Oldenbarneveld. 29 Apr. 1816.

As I was, unexpectedly, So highly gratified with your favour of the 2d. instant, it might appear Some what Strange, that I Should delaÿ till now its answer, there I could not plead anÿ indisposition—neither would the multiplicity of mÿ dayly labour afford, in my opinion, a Sufficient motive for its delaÿ, as I felt my Self So highly obliged by it. No Madam! it was a more Sentic cause, and your noble mind is me a Sufficient guarantee, that I Shall obtain your indulgence, when I have mentioned, that the distressing cares and anxiety for an un happÿ familÿ has occasioned it, to which, although my Situation did forbid, to administer actual relief, yet I deemed it a duty, to offer it, mÿ Services and advice. The Son of my old and worthy frend is in embarrashed circumstances—his failure is unavoidable—the whole family Shall, I fear, Share in it—He is now at N. york, to try, if he may make Some arrangements with his creditors—by an honest offer of all—which yet remains. Want of prudence and activity, with a full Share of indolence are the causes of his ruin. I Suffered more Severlÿ, there I am at loss, how to remedÿ this fatal catastrophe for that unhappÿ familÿ!
I thank God, that you have recovered your health again—and praÿ that the favorable Season may renew your Strenght—mr Adams’s Letter overshadowed with an unusual gloom, had alarmed me—He cannot Spare that powerful Support—He will revive, in perceiving, that you are restored to Him “for when a world of men would not prevail There would be the ministering angel—his adviser—his comforter, and prudent manager of his affairs
I thank you for the Anecdotes—relating miss Moore and permitted mÿ Daughter to take a copÿ of these—to be preserved in the blank pages of one of the works of miss Moore, which She owes to the kindness of mrs Eliot—and I doubt not, or you will oblige me, in presenting mÿ thanks to miss Welch. Although I had not much opportunity of observing her, during my happy residence at Quincÿ—my mind So entirely engaged with other objects—perhaps even in wanting that attention So justly claimed to persons of real worth—and well of your Sex, yet it Seemed to me, that She possessed a verÿ Sound mind—an openness of character—unaffected—frank and candid—and yet free from forwardness—So difficultly palliated even by Superior merit—But—had I even observed less, the partiality—with which She was distinguished by mrs Adams, would have been more than Sufficient, to imbue me with an exalted opinion.
I was not a little pleased, Madam! in finding my opinion of the Dean Sanctioned by Such a High autority—I was one of his admirers, and remain So—after every new perusal—there is a vast deal of pure gold—tho too often its lustre is Sullied—yet—I will not Say, that I maÿ not wrong the man—yet I Should never have wished him the frend of bosom—never—I fear—he could have gained my confidence: I have known his counterpart on the continent, whom I respected—whose talents I dreaded—whose intimate connection I Shunned—I know not, if Corn. van Engelen—the translator of Buffon in Dutch—was introduced in Your Society—He was the Author of the Philanthropist—of the Philosopher—was admired, as Swift on that part of the Continent, and passed the last Stage of his age in childish imbecillity, So that he was fed and cloathed as a babe.
Bÿ the manner, in which mr Adams devotes a part of his time, to the Baron de Grimm’s works, I conclude these must be interesting—at least amusing—I would—I dare Saÿ, enjoÿ the Same benefit—did I  live in your neighbourhood—now I must chiefly have recourse to my old acquaintances—Montaigne—and Plutarch—and then again I visit Montesquieu—Perhaps as noble a Baron, as that German.
I hope, if the disease of mr J. Q. A, originates from weakness of the eÿes, that he maÿ appeal to a powerful remedy—Spectacles—I use these never now for reading and writing—but for more than forty past, Prof. P. Camper advised me, if I would Save my Sight, to wear use Spectacles, constantly for Some time—He would give directions—how these ought to be made. The Same are now invaluable, when out of doors, as I can distinguish few objects—and no persons at a distance. but the Smallest print gives me now no vexation.
My apprehensions with regard to the European Continent are Somewhat congenial to those of J. Q. A. I ardently praÿ—theÿ may be proved unfounded—I wished to lay down my head in peace—Peace—must be for us an Heroic medicine—but it has opulence—luxury—and corruption of manners in its Suit—and the emissaries of this hostile tribe to all Republican Government—penetrate even in the recesses of the West—So that I have little faith in the Stability of our Government—for a long term of years—except N. England ejects only its dregs out of its circumference and perserves its Republican manners unsullied—and yet—N.E. will Stand alone—Pardon—Madam! this involuntary digression—our election is at hand—once more I Shall give my vote—tho’ I expect in the minority. Mrs v. d. kemp and my daughter are obliged to you for taking notice of them, with So much kindness—and in what manner can I then acquit me Self to deserve that distinguished attention, with which your Lady-Ship continues to honour me? Its it not permitted—to indulge a little complacency with my Self? while it Should not have obtained all this without Some claim at least.
Permit me, to assure you—that I remain with the highest consideration and Sincerest respect / Dear and respected Madam! / Your most obed: and Obliged St

Fr. Adr. van der kemp


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 2 May 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

					My dear daughter
					Quincy May 2d 1816.

				I never know how to let a vessel go from Boston, without a Letter to Some of the Family. I have just written by the Mary, for Liverpool, but as a Gentleman calld yesterday to request Letters, I have given him one, for my Son, and one for mr Smith. this I have directed to be put in the Bag, as it incloses one from your Sister Hellen, which She Sent one for you—Mr Brooks has taken charge of the watches for the Boys—and I have Sent the Letter for them, which accompanied the watches; I thought it too excellent, to be seperated from them, and I hope they will esteem it, of more intrinsic value than the watches—I hear you are to be presented soon to court. I presume the marriage of the princess Charlot is soon to take place; and will be celebrated with great Splendour uponThe accounts which we hear of the prince Regent health, would lead us to beleive, that his own prediction of his Fathers out living him; would prove true.The Nation will be like to have a Female Reign; and in that of Elizabeth, there is a model. Some Spots be sure, but where shall we find fewer? the continual plots of the Catholicks, and Jesuits against her Life, were paried by her, with great wisdom, and Skill.—Mary has my compassion, and I have been ready to accuse Elizabeth with envy, and Jealousy, in putting her to death—Yet as a Sovereign, I know not but that She was right. My Love to my Grandsons.From their and your affectionate

					A A—


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 May 1816
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

Quincy May 3. 1816

On the 1st. Mr and Mrs Swelt made us happy by a Visit in which he assured Us he had Seen you, your Lady and Son and that you were all well.
on the 2nd. Mr P. C. Brooks with his Son Edward made Us a very pleasant Visit to offer to take Letters or Packetts to you. This Mr Edward has a Steady Face and manly Countenance, I hope you will cherrish him.
Your Brother has paid me the last Farthing, and now I have no fund to draw upon. But I will run upon Tick for Grim and the History of the Jesuits. I will Still pay your Brother whatever your may expend for me.
Your Mother has been Sick all Winter: but Survives and is charmingly recoved. My Eyes have been half blind, and I have been Sick three Weeks and am So Still. As Voltaire always whined “Octogenaire et malade.”
How came Homer to be a Wizzard? Cassandra was a Prophet, divinely inspired, allways foreseeing and fore telling Truth, though Evil. Yet punished for that very Truth.!!!
I have always been a Prophet of ill, and punished Accordingly.
But I persevere. We Shall have Jesuits in all Shapes in America. We Shall Jesuits, as Federalists and Republicans, in the Shape of Monarchists and Democrats. We Shall have Jesuits as Calvinists and Armenians as Unitarians and Athanatians as Phylosophers and Men of Letters, as Editors of Newspapers and Printers Devils.
My Advice to you therefore is to Study the History of the Jesuits. Read again Pascall, and procure for me and for yourself the Histoire general of the Company.
You can have no Idea of the feelings with which I Say Adieu
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Harriet Welsh, 5 May 1816
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Welsh, Harriet

					dear Harriet
					Quincy May 5th—1816—

				A ; I opend my Letters this morning and found a Number—dated last Novbr and December, the first which John Smith wrote on Board Ship, which in his second he refered to, one from mr A. which I inclose for you only.I am much obliged by the paper you sent containing an account of the Lord Mayor feast. I approve the Toast given by the American Minister. it was liberal patriotic, and concilitary doing equal honour to both countries; the P. says mr. is an Excellent politician, but no TheologianI inclose to you 5 dollars to get me a Black Shawl—received by mr Marston all the articles sent by him—I see by the papers that the Mary has not yet saild my Letters will be very old before they arrive—I hope your Mother and Charlot were not the worse for their ride—I should be very glad to see mrs otis this week. next week have engaged a white washer.I am not dissapointed that I did not hear from caroline—Letters are longer in comeing from the Grove than from the City—I do not expect her till the last of the month or the beginning of June—return the Letters on tuesday to / your affectionate / Friend

					A Adams