Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 3 September 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

N. 26.
Dear Sir.
St: Petersburg 3. September 1813.

This day thirty Years ago, you signed a definitive Treaty of Peace, between the United States of America, and Great-Britain; and here am I, authorised together with two others of our fellow-Citizens to perform the same service, but with little prospect of a like successful issue.—The British Government shews great disinclination to treat with the United States, under a Mediation—They have not yet formally rejected that of the Emperor of Russia, and since the arrival of our two Envoys, this Government has renewed the proposal to which an evasive answer had been in the first instance returned—Mr Gallatin and Mr Bayard are waiting for the ultimate answer from England; they will probably be under the necessity of passing the Winter here, for we can scarcely expect the decision from London, before the 1st: of November, and by that time, the waters will be locked up until June.
Inofficial and indirect hints have been communicated to us, that the British Government are willing to treat with us directly, and without the intervention of a Mediator—But for this we must be invested with new Powers; for our Government had so little expectation that England would spurn the good-offices of her close ally, that no provision was made for the contingency.
The English Ministerial Gazettes have avowed as one objection to the Russian Mediation that Russia must be supposed to be partial in favour of the principles of the armed neutrality—But a Peace between America and Britain may be made, without reference to any of the principles of the armed neutrality—Another and more decisive objection they alledge is that England ought never to submit the discussion of her maritime Rights to any Mediation—
The reasoning has from other sources been presented to us, in a different form—We have been told that as the only point between the two Nations upon which the War now hinges, is impressment, it is a question, concerning the relative Rights and Duties of Sovereign and Subject—That it is a question which never can arise between any other two Nations, besides England and America—That is a sort of family quarrel, with which other Nations can have no concern, and in which their interference can be productive of no good result—That the tendency of a Mediation would be to complicate the controversy; to entangle it in the snarl of general European Politicks, and to make it an Engine for French intrigue to work upon to scatter abroad still more abundantly than ever the seeds of Discord and Confusion.
The controversy as between the two Nations does not involve any question of the relative Rights and Duties of Sovereign and Subject—Admitting the British King’s right to impress his subjects in all the extent he can claim, the question remains, whether he can exercise that right, out of his own jurisdiction—This question does not touch the right either of Sovereign or Subject, and this is precisely the question between Britain and America—It is a question therefore which in point of principle concerns all other Nations as much as it does the two Belligerents—It is whether the British King can enforce the municipal Law of England, on board of the ships of all other Nations, in the Jurisdiction which is common to them all—That it is exclusively a contest between the United States and England, is directly at variance with the pretence so often, and so loudly urged that impressment from foreign ships, on the high seas has been practised by immemorial usage—It is indeed true that no such immemorial usage ever existed; and that as American Ships are the only foreign vessels on board of which the British Officers did impress, it is not likely ever to be a specific Cause of War between any other two Nations,—But the correct inference from this would be that it is a subject peculiarly suitable for a Mediation—The Mediator having no interest of his own to bias him on either side, and both parties being therefore more sure of his impartiality—Even if it were true that the Rights of Sovereign and Subject were implicated in the contest, how would they be implicated?—Britain fights for the Right, of the Sovereign, and America for the Duty of the Sovereign. Britain fights for the claim to the service of the Subject, and America, for the claim of the Subject to Protection—In referring the question to the Mediation of the Emperor of Russia, were it possible to suppose him susceptible of a bias, which way would it be?—Could the most absolute Sovereign in Europe be supposed to favour any limitation of Sovereign Rights? could he be supposed to favour any claim of the Subject to exemption from the duty of Service? If we disputed the British Kings right to the Service of his Subjects, we might very naturally object to the Mediation of any Sovereign, because it would be a question upon which the partialities of all Sovereigns much be against us, and least of all could we have reason to expect favour from the Autocrator of Russia, within whose dominions Magna Charta and the Habeas Corpus act, have no force—But England could have no occasion for distrusting a Mediation of which she must know that the whole interest of the Mediator would be on her Side.
The fear of complicating the maritime question between Britain and America, with the general Politicks of Europe, is just and rational on the part of England—But it ought to operate upon her as a warning to her to settle her differences with America, upon liberal principles—The dread of French intrigue, by the Mediation of a Prince at deadly War with France can have no foundation—No Nation ever more steadily and more earnestly pursued any one course of policy, than America has sought to avoid all entanglement with European Politicks; but if England will persist in having a War with America, she must not expect that America will always be willing to fight her single-handed—She will eventually find it for her interest to make a common cause with the Enemies of England wherever they are to be found, and how far that may make her subservient to the views of France, she will consider for herself, without asking the advice of England.
There are probably other motives besides those that are acknowledged which indispose the British Government to the Mediation; and which must protract the War, if they do not ultimately defeat the Negotiation for Peace—The War on the European Continent has again broken out, and the Coalition against France is more formidable than it ever has been since the year 1793—On the South she is already contending for her own frontiers. In the North, Russia, Austria, Sweden, Prussia, and a great part of Germany are combined against her—Two of her most famous Generals are in the field under the banners of her Enemies, and a third at the moment when hostilities were renewed deserted to them. There is no doubt but at this moment a Battle has already been fought upon which the issue of the Campaign will depend, and in that the destinies of the European World are involved—The symptoms of weakness and of rottenness in the French force are so great and numerous, that according to every rational anticipation she must sink in the struggle—The coalesced powers have not yet declared their Views, or the terms upon which they would agree to a Peace.
I am, Dear Sir, ever affectionately your’s
A.


Title: To John Adams from William Cranch, 3 September 1813
From: Cranch, William
To: Adams, John

Dear Sir
Near Alexandria Sep. 3d. 1813.

I beg you to be assured, my ever honourd & venerated Uncle, that we sympathize most sincerely with you in your late affliction. But while one friend after another drops around you, I know you have all the consolations which Philosophy and Religion can afford; and how inexhaustible are they!— My dear Aunt, I know, will rouse all the energies of her great and noble mind to sustain the shock. Great trials seem reserved for strong minds; and I pray our God that hers support this pressure with it’s wonted elasticity.
Please to present to her my filial affection, and belive me, most respectfully, & gratefully, / your affectionate & obliged Nephew
W. Cranch.We are all well.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 5 September 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Warren, Mercy Otis

My Dear Madam
Quincy Sep’br 5th 1813

Your kind and Sympathetic Letter demands my thanks, and receives my gratitude. My own loss is not to be estimated by words—and can only be alleviated by the consoling beleif that my Dear Daughter is partakeing of that Life and immortality brought to light by him, who endured the cross; and is gone before to prepare a place; for those who Love him and keep his commandments.
Her patience Submission, and resignation have been a lesson to me, neither to murmur or Complain, but cheerfully to Resign her into the Hands of that Being, who gave her to me, and who certainly had the best right to remand her, gratefull to him, that her Sufferings were So Soon terminated.
She has left me a treasure, whose conduct upon this trying occasion, exemplifies her faith in the Religion of which She has been early in Life a public professor, and the precepts of which, its promises and rewards, are the Sources to which She resorts for comfort, deprived thus early in Life of a Parent who was devoted to her, and to whom She was attachd by the Strongest ties of fillial Love, duty and gratitude.
The President thanks you for your Sympathy with him. the precepts of Phylosophy may teach us to endure what the laws of the universe make necessary. it may infuse Stubborness but Religion alone can teach Submission and patience, as Johnson remarks
My dear Caroline has exprest a wish in unison with your own, and gratefully accepts your kind invitation to visit the Ancient Friend of her Mother, and of her GrandParents—and to manifest to you the Respect and veneration in which from her earliest years She has been instructed to hold the Partial Friend of her Mother—it would give me pleasure to accompany her, but I feel more wedded to home than ever, and could not leave the Bereved Father a prey to Solitude—
I beg leave to Substitute in my Room an other Granddaughter, a Good Girl lively and affectionate. She is very desirious of paying her respects to, and being noticed by a Lady So highly and So justly Respected as the venerated Friend of many Years, the long tried and Ancient Friend of her Grandparents. She is the Eldest Daughter of my Son Charles well known to You in early Life—
I regreet that mrs Adams, my Son Thomass wife, cannot have the long anticipated pleasure of visiting you with them, as She was prepared to do—when yesterday She was Summond to Boston to attend the funeral of her Sisters child—an Infant of a year old—Suddenly taken out of Life, by the Disease of the Season
In that warfare there is no distinction
I have not dear Madam received any late Letters from my Son in Russia—when any arrive which I cannot Communicate, it will be a double pleasure to know that my Friend will Share it with me.
Col Smith the Respected partner of my late Dear Daughter accompanies the Ladies, and will do himself the pleasure of waiting upon you—
be assured that I am what I ever have been—and ever Shall be your affectionate Friend
Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Ann Frances Harrod Adams, 7 September 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Ann Frances Harrod

dear Daughter
Quincy Sepbr 7th 1813

Mrs Dexter went on Sunday morning to your House, as she  promissed me she would on Saturday. the Children all dined with me on Sunday—
I have had such a Succession of company yesterday and to day that I have not been able to get out untill this Evening, when I went up to See the children and found them all happy and at play, mrs Dexter at her spining wheel—I read her that part of your Letter which respected her. She Says she shall wash tomorrow. She will stay untill you return—you must then agree about her further stay—she has sent the cruit by mr Faxon
My love to your sister with whom I sincerely Sympathize. we must remember that our Children are but short favours borrowd now, to be returnd anon—we may feel as parents, but submit in silence as Christians. shall not the Lord of all the earth do right?
I have felt the pangs of loosing an infant, but the still severer anguish when calld to part with a Dear and only Daughter—the delight of my Eyes, and my companion and Friend—but I cannot dwell upon the subject. my duty is to be still.
The vice President Lady and Daughter dined with us to day. mr and mrs otis and mr Foster Mrs Cushing is still with me—
Yours affecly
A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Louisa Smith Adams Johnson, 9 September 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Johnson, Abigail Louisa Smith Adams

Dear Abbe
Quincy Sep’br, 9th 1813—

Did you think that Grandmother would be the first of your Correspondents to write to you? aya She Said little to you, but thought more than She utterd, first because She knew it was a hard Struggle for a Young Girl, who had formed Several agreable acquaintance, who were equally attachd to her to quit them, and next She Supposed that Some reluctance was felt at leaving aged Grandparents to whom She might never again See, and an only Sister.
You have my dear Child made a Sacrifice to duty. You have relinquishd all your associates, Friends of your youth, to attend upon your parent, Seperated from whom you could not have been happy—and in fullfilling this Duty you have ensured to yourself the reward promissed to those, who honour their parents; whilst I felt for your Privations, I respected your motives—You will find also a Reward in your own reflections;
Susan has written to your Mother of her excursion. She will give to you an account of it, when She returns—Your Society have met but once Since you left it the affliction of our Family has cast a gloom over those with whom we are connected. Poor mr J Greenleaf is very Sick with a fever. he was taken at his office with a shakeing fit and a numbness which was very allarming.  he keeps his Chamber yet, and the dr attends him—
Mr E Millars came here this week to ask advice of your Grandfather, respecting his future Studies he thinks of reading Law—was it designd as a respect to your Grandfather? I presume it was, and that he was Sent by his Father, but a Gay lad of 17teen, will find the Law a dry bit, a hard Bone—now is the Age when he ought to enter colledge.
It is our National Fast day. we went, that is your Grandfather myself and Louisa in the morning to hear mr Codman, and were much pleased. his Text was in Jerimiah, “Shall I not visit for these things Saith the Lord”
he Said, he was not one of those who did not respect the Authority which Recommended the Fast. he thought it highly proper, whatever difference of opinion might exist respecting National measures. he Stood in that desk as minister of the gospel of Christ, not as a political disputant, that was not the place into which Party Spirit Should enter. he would not degrade his Character, or polute his pulpit by Such discussions his Duty it was to point out to his hearers those Sins which had justly drawn upon them the judgments of heaven—and in his catalogue he named that bitter Spirit of party; which interrupted Social harmony, and that calumny, which destroyd private Characters, and kindled the worst passions in the breast of Man—contrary to the Christian temper and character which taught us to Love even our Enemies, to bless those who curse us—Such a Sermon is calculated to do good. at home I hear we had combustables enough—
Sorry I am that a good Man Should So mistake his duty—
well my dear Girl are you amused with your Grandames Storys? I have already told your Aunt of my constant interruptions by company. one visitor I forgot to name which was mrs Beal who took Tea with me yesterday chiper as a Spring Bird. will you beleive it, that She went to Cambridge upon commencement Day?
Caroline went last week to See Eliza Guild. She and her Mother are going a journey to Bellows falls
Miss Cecilia Thaxter and Lucy Cushing made us a friend visit. Susan Thaxter with the loss of her Sister, has added an other trial to her fortitude. I will not call it a loss, for when a Lady discovers that her Lover is unworthy  her regard, it can be no loss to dismiss him. this She has done by hers, and returnd all his presents to him—She discoverd I beleive that he was intemperate. I did not fancy him the first time I Saw him—I am rejoiced that So worthy a Girl has not fallen a victim—tell Aunt Nancy, that by accident mr Vander kemp mentiond the name of mr Varick—I caught at it, and asked him if he was acquainted with him. he replied yes, that he was one of the worthyest characters he knew, much respected and esteemed, by all his acquaintance—a very Sensible Man, to which the Col assented being at table and observed that he once thought he meant to pay his Respects to his Sister
Now if the man has a Stiff Back I am Sure it cannot be more So, than parson Eatons and if I mistake not, he looks out for Susan Storer, a pretty Girl you know beside Aunt Nancy you know has Something of a Stiff Back unless Dr Hoolbrooks prescription has cured it—what does Grandmam mean by writing all this to me—only to divert you my Dear—
does Mamma think I have forgotten her. no by no means but I did not find that any body had written a word to you, and I knew what I write to you would be, as tho I had written to mamma—you must tell me how you amuse yourself. I know you will be a  good assistant to Aunt Nancy and to your Mother—I want to look upon you, and your various employments—it is a Spot that will always have painfull, as well as pleasurable recollections to me
So it must have Such to its presents inhabitants I asked the Col to write, but he Says he cannot—
I must bid you good Night—Sweet and tranquil has been the hour I have devoted to you I left mr Coleman below, to finish my Letter to you, which Shall go by tomorrows mail—what can you be doing now? reading or writing? what and to whom? we all Send abundence of Love—and kind adieus—
Your affectionate Grandmother
Abigail Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to George Washington Adams, 14 September 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, George Washington

N. 17.
My Dear Son.
St: Petersburg 14 September 1813

The fourth and last point of view, in which I proposed to offer you some general observations upon the sacred Scriptures, was with reference to Literature. And the first remark which presents itself here is that the five Books of Moses, are the most antient monument of written language, now extant in the World—The Book of Job is nearly of the same date, and by many of the Christian and Jewish Commentators is believed to have been written by Moses.
The employment of alphabetical characters to represent all the articulations of the human voice, is the greatest invention that ever was compassed by human Genius—Plato says that it was the discovery either of a God, or of a man divinely inspired—The Egyptians ascribed it to That, whom the Greeks afterwards worshipped under the name of Hermes—This however is a fabulous origin—That it was an Egyptian invention there is little reason to doubt, and it was a part of that learning of the Egyptians, in all of which we know that Moses was versed.
It is probable that when Moses wrote, this Art was if not absolutely of recent, yet of no very remote invention—There was but one copy of the Law written in a Book; it was deposited in the Ark of the Covenant; and was read aloud once in seven years, to all the People at their general Assembly in the feast of tabernacles. Deut: XXXI. 9. 10.—25.26.—There was one other copy, written upon stones, erected on mount Ebal. Deut. XXVII. 3–8.—It does not appear that there existed any other copies—In process of time, the usage of reading it every seven years must have been dropp’d, and the monument upon mount Ebal must have perished—For in the reign of Josiah (II. Kings. XXII.) about eight hundred years afterwards, the Book of the Law was found in the Temple—How long it had been lost is not expressly told; but from the astonishment and consternation of Josiah upon hearing the book read, its contents must have been long forgotten, so that scarcely a tradition of them remained—We are indeed told I Kings VIII.9. and II Chron: V. 10. that when the Ark of the Covenant was deposited in the Temple of Solomon, “there was Nothing in the ark, save the two tables, which Moses put therein at Horeb.” The two tables contained, not the whole Law, but only the ten Commandments (Deut. V. 22.—X. 4. 5.) The Book of the Law, was therefore no longer in the Ark, at the Dedication of Solomon’s Temple; that is about 500 years the Law was given, and 300 years before the Book was found by Hilkiah the High-Priest in the 18th: year of Josiah.
From these Circumstances, as well as from the expedients used by Moses and Joshua, for preserving the memorial of the Law, and the repeated Covenants, between God and the People (Deut: V.2. X.I. XXIX.I Joshua XXIV.25.) it is obvious that the art and the practice of writing were extremely rare—that very few of the People were ever taught to read; that there were few books extant, and of those few only single copies.
The Arts of writing, speaking and thinking, with their several modifications of Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic, were never cultivated among the Hebrews, as they were, though not untill nearly a thousand years later than Moses, among the Greeks—Philosophical research, and the Spirit of Analysis, appears to have belonged among the Antient Nations exclusively to the Greeks—They studied language as a Science, and from the discoveries they made in this pursuit, resulted a system of literary composition founded upon logical deductions—The language of the sacred writers was not constructed upon the foundation of abstruse Science—It partakes of the nature of all primitive language, which is almost entirely figurative; and in some degree of the character of primitive writing and of hieroglyphics—We are not told from what materials Moses compiled the Book of Genesis, which contains the History of the Creation, and of three thousand years succeeding it, and which terminates three Generations prior to the birth of Moses himself.—Whether he had it altogether from tradition, or whether he collected it from more antient written or painted memorials. The Account of Creation, of the Fall, and all the antedeluvian part of the History carries strong internal evidence of having been copied or if I may so express myself, translated from hieroglyphical or symbolical records—The narrative is of the most perfect simplicity—the discourses of the persons introduced are given as if taken down verbatim from their mouths, and the narrative is scarcely any thing more than the connecting link of the discourses—The Genealogies are given with great precision, and this is one of the most remarkable peculiarities of the Old Testament—The rest is all figurative—The Rib, the Garden, the Trees of life, and of the knowledge of Good and Evil, the Apple, the Serpent, are all images, which seem to indicate a hieroglyphical origin
All the historical Books both of the Old and new Testament retain the peculiar characteristics that I have noticed—the simplicity and brevity of the Narrative—the practice of repeating all discourse, as in the identical words spoken, and the constant use of figurative, symbolical and allegorical language—But of the Rules of composition prescribed by the Grecian Schools, the unities of Aristotle, or the congruities of figures taught by the Greek philologists, not a feature is to be seen—The Psalms are a collection of Songs—The song of Solomon is a Pastoral Poem; the Proverbs are a collection of moral sentences and maxims, apparently addressed by Solomon to his Son, with the addition of some others of the same description—The prophetical Books are partly historical, and partly poetical—They contain the narrative of the Visions, and other Revelations of the Deity to the Prophets who recorded them—In the New Testament, the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles are historical—They contain memoirs of the life of Christ, and some of his discourses; and the proceedings of his principal Apostles for some years immediately after his decease—The simplicity of the narrative is the same as that of the Old Testament; the style in general indicates an age when reading and writing had become more common, and books more multiplied—The Epistles of St: Paul are the productions of a mind educated to the learning of the age, and well versed even in the Grecian Literature—From his History it appears that he was not only capable of maintaining an Argument with the Doctors of the Jewish Law, but of discussing Principles with the Stoic and Epicurean Philosophers—His Speech at Athens, as a specimen of Eloquence was worthy of an Audience in the native Country of Demosthenes—The Apocalypse of St: John, resembles in many Respects some of the prophetical Books of the Old Testament—The figurative, symbolical and Allegorical Language of these Books, shew a range of Imagination, suitable only to be the record of Dreams and Visions—their meaning is in many parts inexplicably obscure—It has been and is to this day among the follies and vices, of many Sects of Christians to attempt explanations of them adapted to Sectarian purposes and opinions. The style of none of the Books either of the old or new Testament, affords a general model for imitation to a writer of the present age—The principles and rules of composition derived from the Greek and Roman Schools, and the examples of their principal writers, have been so generally adopted in modern literature, that the style of the Scriptures, differing so essentially from them could not be imitated without great affectation—But for pathos of narrative—for the selection of incidents that go directly to the heart—for the picturesque of character and manners; the selection of circumstances that mark the individuality of persons; for copiousness, grandeur and sublimity of imagery, for unanswerable cogency and closeness of reasoning and for irresistible force of persuasion, no Book in the world deserves to be so unceasingly studied, and so profoundly meditated upon as the Bible.
I shall conclude here the series of letters, which I purposed about two years since to write you, for the purpose of exhorting you to Search the Scriptures, and of pointing out to your Consideration the general points of application with a view to which, I thought this Study might be made profitable to the improvement and usefulness of your future life—There are other and particular points, to which I may hereafter occasionally invite your attention—I am sensible how feeble and superficial, what I have written has been; and every letter has convinced me more and more of my incompetency to the adequate performance of the task I had assumed—But my great object was to shew you the importance of devoting your own faculties to this pursuit. To read the Bible is of itself a laudable occupation, and can scarcely fail of being an useful employment of Time—But the habit of reflecting upon what you have read is equally essential as that of reading itself to give it all the efficacy of which it is susceptible—I therefore now recommend it to you to set apart a small portion of every day to read one or more Chapters of the Bible, and always to read it with reference to some particular train of observation or of reflection—In these letters I have suggested to you four general ones—considering the Scriptures as Divine Revelations—as Historical Records—as a System of Morals—and as literary Compositions—but there are many others points of view in which they may be  subjects of useful investigation—As an expedient for fixing your own attention, make it also a practice for some time to minute down in writing your reflections upon what you read from day to day—You may perhaps at first find this irksome, and your reflections themselves scanty and unimportant—but they will soon become both easy and copious. And be careful above all, not to let your reading make you either a pedant or a bigot—let it never puff you up with a conceited opinion of your own knowledge, or make you intolerant of the opinions which others drew from the same source; however different from your own—And may the merciful Creator who gave the Scriptures for our Instruction, bless your study of them, and make them to you fruitful of good works!—
from your affectionate father.
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 16 September 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Cushing, Hannah Phillips

My Dear Friend
Quincy Sepbr 16th 1813.

I had determined yesterday, to Sit out this morning with Louisa, and make you a visit of a day, and leave her with you, but now I think it my duty to turn another way and personally to Sympathize with my afflicted Friends, mr and mrs Smith in Boston. his feeble health was much reduced by the heat of the last week: and by a bleading at the mouth, which has placed his life at great hazard—but what has added bitterness to the cup, was the intelligence received by express from Hartford of a son, who had been two years absent, lieing dangerously Sick and who had reachd that place, from N Carolina, where he had arrived with circumstances of great agravation. he was Supercargo of a vessel, and was upon his passage home from South America, under a neutral flag. they had taken a Porteguese Captain and Sailors, were short of water and put in upon the Brazil coast for water. Mr Smith and his American captain went on Shore for the purpose of obtaining water & took with them the Porteguese Captain—who Saying that he wanted to visit a Friend there. they remained on Shore during the Night, when this treacherous Man went on Board, and took vessel & cargo off, leaving them destitute of cloathing money or any necessary. unknown and unfriended, it was however there good fortune to meet a Gentleman belonging to Salem just arrived from Calcutta, who lent them Cloathing and money. in this Situation they arrived at North Carolina, and were proceeding home, overcome with fatigue mortification and dissapointment, a mere youth of 28—but who possest the Steadiness & probity of Age, fell Sick—but So eager to reach home that he could not prevaild upon to Stop at N Haven—but at Hartford he became Speechless, and they were obliged to leave him to the care of Strangers, but Sent on to his Friends in Boston. Mrs Smith and now her only son; Sat off at one oclock at Night on tuesday for Hartford an other messenger arrived in Boston yesterday, but mist her. the youth departed at Nine oclock on Monday Night, not before he had recoverd his Speech, and Senses. the writer at whose House he was, Says the physician told him his danger, when he requested the Family to join with him in Prayer: which they did, following him as they write, in a very pious and pathetic address to Heaven
Mrs Smith will arrive probably to attend his remains, but not to behold the living object of her fondest affection—my dear Madam, in what a world of trials and afflictions do we live? your own feeling heart, which melts at the woes of the distresst, will easily beleive that this recent Family affliction has deprived me of every wish, but that of mingling my tears with the bereved Family
Louisa regreets much her dissapointment but will Still hope to fullfill her engagement some other day. I wish it much for her.
All my Family unite in Love and Respect to yours, and I dear Madam congratulate you upon the Safety of your Sister niece who I hear has a fine Son—and am with Sincere / affection your Friend
A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith, 18 September 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, William

my dear afflicted Friend
Quincy Sep’br 18th 1813

I cannot refrain from addressing a few lines to you, to intreat of you, to calm your agitated mind, and to quiet your distressed Heart, for the Sake of Your Surviveing Friends—and turn your thoughts upon those blessings you still possess. You have So repeatedly been called to endure these Heartrending trials, that all the consolations which Religion affords, and the Scripture offers, are familiar to your mind, and dear to your Heart, as you have upon former occasions evinced by your Resignation and Submission
A Stoical Apathy is not required of Human Nature, by that Being, whom we are told; wept at the death of a Friend, altho himself endued with the power of raising him to Life.—we are permitted to Sorrow—but I trust in God in our Case—not without hope, of meeting our dear departed Children, in those Realms of Bliss, where all tears Shall be wiped from all Eyes—thether may our thoughts tend and our views be directed, aiming daily to become perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect, as our Father
“He to our every trial knows
Its just restraint to give
Attentive to behold our woes
And faithfull to relieve,”
I am my dear Friend a Sincere / and Sympathizer mourner with you

Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Dear sir
Quincy Sepbr 20th 1813

your kind and Friendly Letter found me in great affliction for the loss of my dear, and only daughter, mrs Smith
She had been with me only three weeks having undertaken a journey from the state of Nyork, desirious once more to see her parents, and to close her days under the paternal roof
she was accompanied by her son and daughter. who made every exertion to get her here, and gratify what seemd the only remaining wish she had, so helpless and feeble a state as she was in. it is wonderfull how they accomplished it. two years since she had an opperation performed for a Cancer in her Breast. this she supported, with wonderfull fortitude, and we flatterd ourselves that the cure was effectual, but it proved otherways. it soon communicated itself through the whole mass of the Blood, and after severe sufferings, terminated her existance.
you sir. who have been called to seperations of a similar kind, can sympathize with your Bereaved Freind.
I have the consolation of knowing, that the Life of my dear daughter was pure, her conduct in prosperity and adversity, exemplary, her patience and resignation becomeing her Religion—you will pardon by being so minute, the full Heart loves to pour out its sorrows, into the Bosom of sympathizing Friendship.
A Lovely only Daughter of her Mother, lives to console me
“who in her youth, has all that Age requires
And with her prudence; all that youth admires”
you called upon me to talk of myself. and I have obeyed the summons. from the assureance you gave me, that you took an interest in what ever affected my happiness.
“Greif has changed me since you saw me last,
And carefull hours, with times deformed hand
hath written strange defeatures o’er my face”
But altho, time has changed the outward form, and political “Back wounding calumny” for a period interruped the Friendly intercourse and harmony which subsisted. it is again renewed, purified from the dross.
with this assurance I beg leave / To subscribe myself / Your Friend

Abigail Adams.


Title: From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 21 September 1813
From: Rush, Julia Stockton
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Madam
Philadelphia Septembr 21st 1813

I scarcely know whether it is most proper for me to appologize for my long silence, or for intruding again upon your time by writing, but when I recollect that I cannot expect to be favored with your consoling, and gratifying letters without making some, tho a poor return, I will begin without any other excuse, but to say that I went from home immediately after I had the pleasure to receive your last favor—I found a change of scene necessary to the releif of my mind and body, and therefore went to my brothers in Jersey, the spot where I was born and spent a few weeks among my family friends, I returned much benefitted, asoon as I got home I changed my residence which ocupied me so much for a time as no to leave me time for more agreeable employments. We are now comfortably settled in a smaller house adjoining the one Judge Shippen lived in when you were in Philadelphia and from which we have removed—both of which my dear husband purchased after Mr Shippens death. I know it will give both Mr Adams and you Madam pleasure to know that we are left in comfortable circumstances the indifference of our friend to money with his unbounded charities and liberality forbad his accumulating what is commonly called wealth, but we have great reason to be thankful that we abound with all the comforts of life, and are delivered from anxiety on that subject, we have enough if we make a proper use of it, yet as the removal of our dearest friend has withdrawn a large income which he was earning by his unremitting exertions, it is fit and necessary that our expences should be regulated accordingly—as yet we do not find any change necessary except a removal from a very large house to a smaller, that of itself will lessen our expences without taking from our comfort, at first I determined to part with my carriage and horses—but it does not appear necessary for me to do it—My Son James occupies a small house opposite to me where he has his shop parlour bed room and library, but taking his meals with me, thereby releiving him from the trouble of a family but enjoying the convenience of an house to himself, with a man servant who drives him and takes care of his house. The estate it left to me during my life or widowhood for my use and that of my minor children, of which there are three, the rest have had such advances as were necessary to their different conditions, and a provision is made for an eaqual advance to the minors when they require it—at my death it will be eaqually divided or sooner if I find it convenient—I shall not retain it after the youngest child is of age he is now in his thirteenth year—and with the blessing of god it be somthing comfortable to each of them—The kind interest you my dear Madam have taken in this affliction, dispensation induces me to beleive that you will be gratified to know these particulars of the family of your departed friend, I have therefore ventured to obtrude my concerns upon you when perhaps you may not be in a situation to attend to them.—I am very anxious to be informed of the situation of your dear daughter—I heard of her on her way to you from my neighbour and friend Mrs Rawle who saw her on her journey—I hope the solace and comfort of her fathers house may revive if not restore her—
I have had the happiness to receive letters from my daughters in Canada after a long interval—I am told my a family in N York who have connections in Montreal that they have frequent opportunities of conveying letters by way of Boston—that a merchant of Boston Mr Thomas Storrer to whom they are sent forwards them without difficulty to Judge Ogden of Montreal—My daughters could easily get them from him—would it my dear Madam be asking too much for you to make enquiry if he would do the same favor to me—and Mr Adams allow me to enclose the letters to him—I am sometimes three months without hearing from them and they the same length of time without hearing from us—I am always careful and so are my children never to write a word that can offend either party—our wish is to be informed of each others welfare, without any thing that relates to the public or others—I have no acquaintance with the gentleman in question and therefore cannot ask the favor myself if any expence should attend it you will have the goodness to settle it for me if the arrangement should be made, and I can easily remit it to you when it amounts to a bank note—
You have desire me to send you the tributes of respect that have been paid to the memory of our lamented frend—My daughter who was with us at the time preserved them by cutting them from the newspapers for the melancholy satisfaction of her sister to whom she was going—my daughter Julia copied the most of them into a manuscript book which she keeps from that she has copied the two that I enclose which gave us the most pleasure—I also send oration pronounced by one of the students of the College at Carlisle—An Eulogium has lately been published in this City delivered by Dr Ramsay of South Carolina, he was well qualified to do justice to the talents and virtues of Dr Rush—he knew him intimately—I am sure it will give Mr Adams and you pleasure to see it—if it has not yet reach’d Boston I will send one apoem as I hear you desire to have it—
I cannot conclude without an appology for writing so long a letter about my own concerns exclusively, nothing but my peculiar situation at this time could justify the liberty—you see My dear Madam what your kindness to your friend has exposed you to—but I will in future promise if you should continue when more important avocations will allow you to favor me by your remembrance, that I will not give you so much about myself—in the mean time after requesting to be presented respectfully to Mr Adams and kindly to Mrs Smith—allow me to subscribe myself your obliged frend

Julia Rush


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 24 September 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

my dear son
Quincy Sepbr 24th 1813

I endeavour that you should hear from us by writing in every direction, yet when I take my pen my heart sinks, and my  hand trembles. my last Letters which were in August were Sent to Halifax by a cartel to be conveyd to England to mr Beasley, and they contain’d such heart rending intelligence that I know not how to repeat it—Bad news has swifter wings than good,
I have lost, O what have I not lost in your dear Sister Smith, my only daughter, one endured with every virtue, consumate prudence industery frugality patience Resignation and Submission to her lot and portion in Life and in death— after having two years since with uncommon resolution and firmness Submitted to one opperation, and believing that it was effectual, the last year the other Breast was attackd in the same manner, but with increasd virelence it rapidly diffused itself through her whole Frame, destroyd her consitution and renderd her a perfect criple, weak debilatated and sinking, she had one earnest wish to be gratified which was to be brought to her Fathers house to see her parents, and close her day with them. this She undertook, and made her journey in 15 days accompanied by Caroline and John, dear good tender and affectionate Children every thing was done for her by them which the utmost anxiety and Solisitude could obtain. they arrived upon the 24 july—we calld in the Skill of the best physicians but the decree was gone forth—all aid was ineffectual and upon the 17 14th of August—she was releazd from her sufferings. she was Sensible of her situation as She told the Dr when He first came and reconciled to it, altho neither She herself or nor any of us apprehended So Speedy a dissolution. we were with the Physician of opinion, that She had much Severer Sufferings to endure, but it pleased Heaven to finish her trails, in mercy I trust to herself and Friends and to Support her parents Husband and Children to Sustain bears the afflictive stroke with Religious awe and submission
Yet Nature will weep and our selfish passions predominate. the full heart if not kindly releived would burst, I have written to William—so has his mother ans sister, but if he should have received the Letters you will tenderly communicate to him the sorrowfull event and tell him that her last regreet was that She Should see him no more— and that is a regreet which often pains my heart when I think of my own dear Son—4 or 5 years have stamped with indelible furrows your Mothers visage
Greif hath changed me since you saw me lastAnd carefull hours with times deformed handHath written strange defeatures o’er my face”altho the outward form is decayed, the afflictions of the heart are as warm and ardent as ever. they defy the hand of time while the rational faculties are permitted to exist,
Your Sons are well. George grows most rapidly— John is much more nimble active, he is like a Top always Spinning—he is as ardent and quick as lightning, not to give, but to resent a wrong, a good scholar mr Themble says, ambitions not to be Surpasst. both of them long for the return of their dear Parents—
I shall say nothing upon political subjects but that we long for Peacefull intelligence and wish it may arrive with healing upon its wings from those who bore the olive Branch—
our Navy is most of it blockaded an 18 Gun Brig the Enterprize fought and conquerd the Boxer of Portland a British Brig of the Same weight of mettal. both the commanders fell in the actions, both were taken to Portland and buried with the same honours of war—
whatever plumes the warriour bears, theCyprus is so interwoven, with them and so many Eyes must weep and hearts bleed—that Humanity recoils even at vicotry,
Your Brother is attending a number of courts in succession, and does not know of this opportunity both he and his Family are well
with my kindest Love to my dear Daughter Grandsons and Grandaugher; which I believe includes all, unless I have a great to add to that, / I am my ever dear / Son your affectionate / Mother
Abigail Adams—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 24 September 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Rush, Julia Stockton

my dear Madam
Quincy Sepbr 24th 1813

will you give me leave to introduce to your acquaintance the Rev’d mr Coleman, a gentleman who is setled in a Neighbouring Town my Neighbourhood, and who is travelling for his Health. both the president and myself your Friend have a high Respect and esteem for this Gentleman, who is what every Clergyman ought to be a liberal Christian, a Gentleman of Science taste & literature—and what I know must recommend him to you, is that he is a great admirer of the Character and writings of our late dear Friend, “and Says it would be interesting to him to See any one Connected with that truly great and good Man”
were I to draw the Character of mr Coleman, I Should transcribe it from Cowper
I would express him Simple, grave, Sincere;
In doctrine uncorrupt; in language plain;
And plain in manner, decent, solemn, chaste,
And natural in gesture. much impressed
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds
May feel it too. Affectionate in look,
And tender in address.
any Civility you will be kind enough to offer him, by yourself or Son will be gratefully acknowledged—he wishes to See whatever is interesting to a Stranger in public institutions &c in your city—he has Letters from respectable Gentlemen here—
my dear Friend Since I wrote you last I have been calld to drink deep of the bitter cup of affliction—my Dear and only daughter Mrs Smith died here the last Month. you will recollect that the advice given her by your our dear Friend determined her to Submit to an opperation for a cancer—it Succeed So as to remove all our fears—but early in the last year, the other Breast became hard—and callous. She Sufferd Severe pain in her Back and Limbs. the poison diffused itself through her whole frame deprived her of the use of her Limbs—and renderd her a mere criple—weak suffering and debilitated—She determined upon comeing to her Native house, and to See her parents once more, was her most earnest desire. with uncommon resolution She undertook the journey attended by her Sister Nancy Smith & her son and daughter they reachd here in july. every aid advice and assistance was calld in by us, but the decree was gone forth. continual spasms in her stomack & Bowels could only be releived by opium, and three weeks after She arrived She expired to the inexpressible grief of her Parents Husband & children—a pattern of patience Resignation & Submission, her Death was but a transcrip of her Life—for many and various were the Changes through which She had past. my hope and Consolation is that her last change introduced her to a world where the weary are at rest and to the Society of the just made perfect—I can add no more—but that it will always give me pleasure to hear from you and to know that You are in the enjoyment of health I am dear / Madam your / Friend
Abigail Adams—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 25 September 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Rush, Julia Stockton

My dear Friend
Quincy Sepbr. 25 1813

Since my last Letter to you I have been call’d to drink deep of the bitter cup of affliction—my dear and only daughter mrs Smith, died here the last month. You will recollect that by the advice given her, two years since by our late Dear Friend, She underwent an opperation for a cancer. it Succeeded so as to remove all our fears—but early in the last year she was attacked with voilent pains in her Back and Limbs, which for some time was Supposed to be Rheumatic, but at the Same time the other Breast was callous and attackd in a more voilent way than the first, and the Physician pronounced all her complaints to spring from that source—she Suffered severe and distressing pains through the Winter, became almost a criple weak emaciated, debilitated. her only wish was to be brought to her parents, to see them once more, and to close her days with them—
with uncommon resolution She undertook the journey of three hundred miles—attended by her Sister Nancy Smith and her son and daughter. She reachd us in july—every aid advice and assistance was instantly calld in—but the decree was gone forth continual Spasms in her stomack and bowels, could only be releived by opium. they were distressing indeed—three weeks terminated her sufferings—She expired, leaving her Husband Children & parents to mourn over departed worth. a pattern of patience resignation & submission, her death was but a transcrip of her Life, for many and various were the trials, and changes through which She had past.
My hope and consolation is; that her last change introduced her to a world, where the weary are at rest, and to the Society of the just made perfect—
I know your Sympathizing heart will feel for the wounds of your Friends, in their advanced years feeling daily the decays of nature. it can only be a few Short days at most, and we shall reap the good fruit of afflictions, if rightly improved, and let us pray that the distress of nature, may not obstruct the improvement of our intelectual faculties, but that we may daily be growing in grace, and every christian virtue—
It will always give me pleasure to hear from you. I could not refrain from pouring out my Greifs into the Bosom of a Friend, who had So recently been called to weep & mourn—
I am dear Madam / Your afflicted Friend
Abigail Adams—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, September 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Warren, Mercy Otis

my dear Madam.
Sept. 1813

your kind and sympathetic Letter demands my thanks and receives my gratitude—my own loss is not to be estimated by words and can only be alleiviated by the consoling beleif that my dear Child is partakeing of that Life and immortality brought to Light by him who endured the cross and is gone before to prepare a place for those who Love him, & keep his commandments. her patience Submission and Resignation, have been a lesson to me to neither to murmur or complain: but cheerfully to resign her into the hands of that being who gave her to me, and who certainly had the best Right to remand her.
She has left me a treasure whose conduct upon this trying occasion exemplifies her faith in the Religion of which she is thus early in Life a professer; and the precepts of which its promisses and Rewards are the resources to which She resorts for consolation deprived of one of the most tender and affectionate of Parents who was doating fond of her, and to whom She was attachd by the Strongest ties, of fillial regard.
The President thanks you for you Sympathy with him. he feel as a Father and a Man, but it is the Christianarity  not phylosophy to which he looks for Support and Consolation—
My dear Caroline has exprest a wish to visit you again, as the Friend of her Grandparents, but more particularly for the Friendship you have ever exprest towards her mother and the Respect and veneration in which you was ever held by her Parent, and in which She was Early taught to respect you revere you. I encourage this Laudible desire and wish it was in my power to gratify my own wishes upon this occasion. but I feel more wedded to home from which I am reluctant to depart and we could not all leave the Bereved Father to melancholy Solitude
I beg leave to introduce you to you an other Grandaughter who has long been anxious for the opportunity of Seeing of paying her respects to and being noticed by a Lady So highly esteemed by her Grandparents and by all who have had the honour of her acquaintance—and whom She may never again have the happiness to See—She is the Eldest daughter of my Son Charles; well known to my Friend in early Life, adopted by me when only four years of Age—
I regret that mrs Adams my Son Thomas wife cannot have the long anticipated pleasure of visiting you with them, as She had intended & was prepared to do—but yesterday She was summond to Boston to attend the funeral of a Sisters Child—an Infant of a year old Suddenly taken out of Life by a dysentery—in that warfare there is no distinction—
I have not any late Letters from my Son in Russia. When ever I receive what I think will communicate pleasure mrs Warren may be assured that the to have Me Share it will be an additional gratification to her /  assured Friend
A Adams—my Son will introduce to you Col Smith the worthy Partner and Bereved Husband of my late dear Mrs Smith whom we have encouraged to make this jaunt to as a change of Scene for him


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Baker Johnson, 3 October 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Johnson, Thomas Baker

Dear Sir
Quincy October 3d 1813

Your Letter of July 13th Should not have lain So long unanswerd but for the affliction of my Family. I could not write, my mind has been too much agitated, and distresst, by the Sickness and Death of my Dear and only daughter, Mrs Smith, whom you well knew.
She came here, from the interiour of Nyork, where She has resided for the last Six years, in the Month of july, very Sick, as She had been through the winter, with a Cancer two years Since. she had one, extracted, and we hoped and beleived that a perfect cure was effected, but the disease had taken Such hold of her constitution as to destroy it. yet She travelld three hundred miles, once more to see her Parents, and to resign her Life in their Mansion. upon the 15th of August, after Severe and distressing Sufferings, under which She exhibited, that patience and resignation which Religion only can inspire, She departed this Life, leaving her Bereved Parents, Husband and children to weep the loss of departed worth; to them She was most dear.
you so feelingly, so pathetically, and with Such fillial piety, recollect and embalm the memory of your Mother by a recital of her worth, and her Maternal tenderness for you, that I am sure you cannot be indifferent to the affliction of your Friends and therefore, make no apology for calling up your Sympathy upon this melancholy event, so distressing to me.
your Mother always did you ample justice when writing of you to me, and I can bear witness to her memory, that her affection, and attachment to you, was not inferiour to your own. I have not any Letters of a later date from St Petersburgh than the 1st of May, altho I now look for interesting intelligence daily.
with respect to the Event, about which you inquire, I answer I am to this moment in as perfect ignorance as you are. My reflections have been similar to your own, and I own, have given me much uneasiness upon their account. I fear ways and means are wanting, and with this impression, I consider it a rash Step—
In a Letter from mr A of Jan’ry the 30th he Says mr W S S——h is Soon to be married to miss C J——n upon the 18 of Feb’ry he again writes, last Evening Mr W S S, was married to miss C J——n and in a Letter dated in may Mr W S S writes to his Brother, “when I come to America, you will See me in a new Character, of which please to inform my Father and Mother”
To mrs Smith it never was made known, for the reason which you have Sugested in your Letter
when I know more, I will inform you—
I have not any late Letters from washington when I heard, your Family were all well—
I congratulate you upon the noble and brilliant victory of commodore Perry upon Lake Erie—Such victories will be our most able Negotiaters—Britain was never So feild upon what She presumes to call, her own Element. her divorced Children have neither lost their Blood or Spirit, but in the new Edition are improved and corrected—
It will always give me pleasure to hear from you—and to learn your welfare, for be assured that I am / your Friend
Abigail Adams


Title: From Julia Stockton Rush to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 October 1813
From: Rush, Julia Stockton
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Madam
Philadelphia October 8th 1813

The day after I sent my last letter to you I received your interesting communication, most sincerely do I sympathize with Mr Adams and you this melancholy occasion, this is indeed a changing scene, a dying world, and I think the last six months has been a time of unusual mortality—your dear daughter we trust was made perfect through sufferings and is inheriting the promises, where sin and sorrow are no more, but to you dear Madam and to her venerable father the stroke is most afflicting—Oh that I were near enough to you to offer my sympathy in person—how much it would gratify me to attempt to soothe your sorrow, as I am sure you would mine—mine is a selfish wish, as I know your own resources are so far beyond any thing I could offer, that it is only because it would give me so much pleasure to see you that I express such a wish, one that I fear will never be gratified, and yet I sometimes think it is not impossible—my dear Dr Rush has frequently said when talking of you, “how much pleasure it wd give me to make my dear friends Mr & Mrs Adams a visit, but I hardly expect it will ever be accomplished by me—but you must do it on some occasion when you are going or returning from Canada.” If we should be blessed with peace during your life time and I should visit my daughters I should be very desirous to take Boston in my way—at least I will cherish such an Idea even if it should be a delusion.
I am much pleased with your friend Mr Coleman he appears to be such as you have described him, I regret that he has received so little attention from any body belonging to me, My Son has unfortunately had a patient 14 miles from the City ever since he Mr C has been here, he has required a visit either every day or every other day, this has kept him so much occupied that he has had not a moment to spare—but we found from Mr Colemans first visit that he was in the best of hands, Mr Vaughan and a Mr Taylor where he has lodged, therefore I only regret it, because an introduction from you will ever be entitled to my best attention and if we had not immediately known that Mr Coleman was in such hands, I should have sought ought out some one to do what my Son was unable to do, but Mr Vaughan is a host of himself where kindness and usefulness are called for, and I find Mr C is of the same religious sect, I heard he preached in a church lately erected in our City which is called Mr Vaughans, on Sunday last, they have no ordained minister belonging to it but Mr Vaughan and several others perform the worship by praying singing and reading sermons, Mr Coleman will tell you all about them when he returns
present me most respectfully and affectionately to Mr Adams, and accept for yourself dear Madam / the friendship of / your obliged and / attached
Julia Rush


Title: From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 13 October 1813
From: Warren, Mercy Otis
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Plymouth October 13th. 1813—

I cannot express to my dear Mrs. Adams the ardent desire I feel that we might at least have one more personal interview, before we are either of us called to leave the passing scenes of pleasure and pain, that have so long danced before us and vanished as the vapour of the morn. I long to have you by my side in my retired mansion at Plymouth, where we might indulge the feelings of the heart without interruption, and live over again by retrospection the undiminished friendship which has so long subsisted between us.—I think I may cherish the expectation and claim a visit from your own promise made me some months since.—To this I am more encouraged as our worthy friend Mrs Cushing has just left me and has informed me that you have recently visited her.—Remember it is only three or four hours more that might well you on to Plymouth.—
I have not yet told you my dear friend, how much I was gratified by the late visit from I received from the two lovely young Ladies of your family accompanied by Colo. Smith who appears to me as he ought, deeply wounded by the loss of his amiable partner, whose death he can never cease to mourn.—“A Friend in purchase for a World is gain:”—and how few are the happy ones who have found so rich a purchase as this unfortunate Gentleman has lost.—
Had I not been sick—very dangerously sick indeed, I should earlier have replied to yours handed by my dear Caroline.—I am now much better and five days since have left my chamber and see my friends with usual health and spirits.—You have the first demand on my pen—I therefore write to convey through the hand of my daughter Mercy Otis Warren who means to call at Quincy on her way to Boston & spend one day with her young Friend with whom we are all delighted, and to pay her respects to their Grand-Parents, before she changes her name and begins a family of her own.—I hope the interview will be mutually agreeable, and that these young people may cultivate a friendship as sincere and as durable as has been the affection of their Grand-Parents towards each other.
I presume you have had no recent tidings from Petersburgh, but hope you will soon hear  that which will gladden the hearts of his parents as well as those of his Countrymen, when they hear that your Son has had an honorable and successful hand in the restoration of peace among the Nations.—You will next permit me to tell you how much my curiosity has been excited, and how very much I should be gratified by the perusal of a number of Letters written by John Quincy Adams for the use of a young Son.—I have heard them spoken of once, twice, thrice, with the highest approbation, by very judicious persons who have been so far in the confidence of President Adams & yourself as to permit them a perusal.—They might with great safety be forwarded to Plymouth & with equal safety be returnd to my obliging and respected friends at Quincy.—
I will not tire you with the length of my Letters, but I cannot conclude without particular remembrances to each branch of the family at Quincy from your / united in affection & friendship
Mercy Warren17th: I ought not to forget to tell you at her request that Mrs. Cushing was here again yesterday & earnestly desired me to bear her most affectionate regards to yourself & the President before I clos’d my Letter.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Julia Stockton Rush, 15 October 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Rush, Julia Stockton

My dear Madam
Sept october 15th 1813

I should not so long have delayd to thank you for the freedom of your communications made to me in your Letter of Sep’br which were was an agreable proof of your Friendship, and a testimony that you considerd me what I really am your interested Friend, interested in all that communicates pleasure and happiness to the Bosom Friend & companion of him whose memory we cherish and whom we can never think of but with grateful affection
I repeate that I should not so long have delayd a replie, but that I waited untill I was able to comply with your request. I have through a Friend made inquiry for the Gentleman you name and have found him and received an assurances that any Letters I may commit to his care Shall be forwarded agreable to your request and direction. you will please to inclose them under cover to mr Adams, as you do your own to me & I will See that they are deliverd to mr Storer. it may be as well perhaps that they Should not be Sealed and if there is any expence attending them I will Setle it with him—your Son Richard has caught the Mantle of his Father—and writes, not with that equality of Years, but with the Respect of a Son to a Father, with freedom and confidence—I am always delighted with his Letters—I trace so much of the father in thought in expression in Soul, that it is a Spark lighted up from that pure fountain, and may it Shine more & more, untill its perfect day. I beg my dear Madam that you would not be backward in employing me in any way in which I can be of Service to you or any branch of your Family—I know and experience the difficulty of communicating with our absent Children and I am obliged to put the Phylanthroptry of our Enemies in requisition to give my Letters a passport to my Son. I have received Some polite attention from Sir John Shearbrook at Halifax in forwarding Some Letters from my Son in Russia taken in a Captured vessel Safely to us after having been opend and read in their Court of Admiralty—It is true they got no Secrets, but they obtaind Some wholesome truths respecting the conduct of the British Government towards America—at the Same time form Humane and Manly expressions of respect for the necessity of the war, and an ardent desire for its termination
I Shall always derive pleasure when informd from under your own hand, that you “enjoy health Peace and competence,” for virtue these are all thy own
affectionatly your Friend
A Adams


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 15 October 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

N. 27
My Dear Sir.
St: Petersburg 15. October 1813.

I wrote yesterday to my dear Mother by a Gentleman, who is going to Gothenburg, intending to embark there directly for the United States—This day another opportunity presents itself—Mr: Dallas, one of the Gentlemen who came with Mr Gallatin and Mr Bayard is going to England, where he is to study Law in the Temple; and although the Communication by Cartels has again been stopp’d as I am informed, I cannot neglect the occasion of attempting to let you know that we are all in as good health, as we can expect this climate will ever permit us to be.
My Colleagues are waiting for a definitive answer from England—On the first proposition of the Emperor Alexander’s mediation, the British Government had answered evasively—When the Emperor was informed of the Mission Extraordinary from the United States he directed that his Ambassador at London should renew the proposal of his Mediation, and it is the answer to this renewed proposition that we are expecting. We hope it will not be delayed beyond the last of this Month; but as the Navigation here will close in a fortnight or three weeks, Messrs: Gallatin and Bayard send the ship to wait for them at Gothenburg; and if the British Government finally refuse to treat, they will go on to Gothenburg in the Winter, by Land.—I remain here under my original Commission.
I suppose your newspapers will give you as correct and circumstantial account of the military Events in Europe, as can be obtained here.—Since the renewal of hostilities in Germany, and the accession of Austria to the cause of the allies, the disproportion of force has been too great to be counterbalanced by the Genius or Skill of Napoleon—Untill within a few days we have heard of nothing but victories and triumphs of the allies—The french relations have at length come; because they are published in the English Gazettes—They are no doubt highly coloured and full of exaggerations, but they shew that the allies have also met with some considerable losses—In the main however there is no question that the advantage of the Campaign is greatly on their side, and according to every prospect it must terminate as fatally for the French as that of the last year—It appears impossible that they should maintain the line of the Elbe, and the retreat upon the Rhine, if practicable at all must be attended with immense losses of every kind—All the German kings and Princes are allies as hollow to France as she has found Austria and Prussia—Bavaria and Wirtemberg have shewn at least symptoms of encouragement to the allies, and of a determination to abandon the French Alliance. Denmark is as reluctant in her movements, and although she has at length been prevailed upon to declare War against Sweden, has no means of making her hostility formidable—Of the Event of the Campaign no doubt is entertained here, and it is probable that advances of a pacific nature have already been made by France and rejected by the allies.
I sent you about three years ago a large Quarto pamphlet entitled “Principes de Chronologie, pour les tems antérieurs aux Olympiades;” by Count John Potocki—It is only an abstract from a large and important work, which he intended to publish—The Count was then here, and it was at his request that I sent you a copy of his Book—He told me that he had formerly seen you; I think in London—His System professes to present an improvement in the Science of Antient Chronology—I have been applying my leisure hours the last Month in examining his Principles, and have plunged into the abyss of antiquity, untill I look upon my skin to see if it is not collecting verdigrease.—Sanchoniatho the Phonician, and Manetho the Egyptian, and Berosus the Chaldean have got to be authors of too modern a date for my taste, and I am hunting for the Books of the Wars of the Lord, and of Enoch the seventh from Adam. It is impossible to proceed far in this Labyrinth, without feeling the want of Books, and still more the want of Languages.—Count John pleads hard for the Septuagint Chronology—He wants about 4000 years from the deluge to the birth of Christ; and with that he undertakes to reconcile with the scriptural account of time all the historical pretensions to antiquity off the Asiatic Nations.—As I have not received any letter from you acknowledging the receipt of his book, I know not whether it ever reached you—
We have no late accounts from America—You have heard before this of the loss of the Argus, and the Death of her brave Captain Allen—The dice of War will not always turn up sixes—But I hope our turn of good-luck will come again.
In every sort of luck, I remain with equal affection, ever your’s
A.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 15 October 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Van der Kemp, François Adriaan

Dear Sir
October 8 15th 1813

I cannot refrain any longer from taking my pen and assureing mr van der kemp of the high gratification his visit to Quincy gave to his Ancient Friends there, the only regret attending it was, that it was so short, to his new acquaintance he communicated unexpected pleasure by the urbanity of his manners the politeness of his address by the exquisite tenderness & sensibility of his Heart, so plainly and indelibly pictured upon his countenance.
really sir if I was to write you all that I have heard exprest respecting you—you would deem it flattery—suffice it to say that every female of my acquaintance who had the pleasure of being introduced to you—it will hardly do to tell mrs vanderkemp that they were captivated by you but I may say they were delighted with you, and you may rest assured that they hold you in high estimation—For myself I have so long known you as the Friend and  correspondent of my Husband that every sentiment of my Heart was a veneration for your talents, and Respect for your learning—I had not however blended with these Ideas, that delicacy of perception that warmth of feeling, that
I expected a feast of reason but that flow of soul so nicely blended with a delicacy of perception “which feels at each touch” was more than I had anticipated, and mr vanderkemp now stands before me, not  as the recluse Book Worm but as the Man of proufound Learning, as the polite Gentleman whose modesty will not permit him to estimate his own Worth, and whatever attention he received, and of which he thinks much too highly, was really due to him—I shall pass over the sensations so visible upon his countenance when he first saw the faded form of her whom he knew in early Life and quote to him the words of shakespear
Grief hath chang’d me since you saw me last And careful  hours with Times deformed Hand Hath written strange defeatures, over my face but it has not chilld the warmth of my Heart or obliterated the ardour of my Friendship, which has increased for mr vanderkemp  a more intimate knowledge of his character I shall therefore subscribe myself his Friend / and admirer
A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 22 October 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

my dear son
Quincy october 22. 1813

our Neighbor mr Apthorp is going to Lisbon and I embrace this, as one of the best opportunities for conveying Letters to you through mr Beasley in England.I have written to you every Month, and sent my Letters to you through various channels. Some of my Letters will probably reach you, as they contain Such intelligence as has the most rapid wings. I mean those which convey melancholy truths, such as the death of your Sister, my ever lamented dear and only daughter,. The wound which has macerated my Bosom—cannot be healed, the broken Heart may be bound up; and Religion teach submission, and Silence, even under the anguish of the Heart, but it cannot cure it. the unbidden Sigh, will rise, and the bitter tear flow long after the Tomb is closed. Borne down by a disease which skill could not cure, She Submitted to her destiny with that calmness and Resignation, which were distinguishing traits in her Character through Life,—and died upon the 15 of August, just three weeks after her arrival here, Beloved endeared, and lamented by all who knew her.
I have given to you, and to her Son, in more than, one Letter, a circumstantial detail of the melancholy scene and tho memory loves to dwell upon every scene connected with it, I do not wish to prolong painfull recollections in the minds of others.
I will Remember with gratitude the Blessing I enjoy. and one of the first of these, is the Life, health, and cheerfullness of your Father. bowed down as he has been by our late affliction, he has not sunk under it. Col. Smith has remained with us, and will untill the meeting of Congress—Caroline too has been a comfort to us all the Col feels most deeply feels his loss, conducts himself with great propriety, as well as Caroline, who having by unwearied attention, and affectionate assiduity performd every office of fillial duty, and piety towards her Mother, considers her as releived from sufferings, and partakeing of celestial joys.
That I have been supported, sustained and carried through one of the severest Trials of Life, is a subject of gratitude to that Being who saw fit thus to visit me.
I have not received a line from you of a later date than the 1st of may. now more than 5 months, you will easily suppose how anxious we are, not only to learn the welfare of your Family, and of your own health, but also respecting the importent mission with which you are charged. we pant for peace, because we lament the horrors of war, and the ravages and cruelties which are inseparable to it. the Brave fellows who fall in the contest wring my Heart with anguish.
our Arms So much tarnishd by land at the Commencement of the War, are now brightned with conquest. a Perry, a Chancy and Harrison have won the Laurels thrown a way or never earned by Hull. The capture of the whole British force upon Lake Erie by Perry is amongst our most Brilliant deeds. his victory could only be exceeded by his humanity, gratefully acknowledged by the captured foe, and this event upon the Lake—opend a passage to Genll, Harrisons army, and produced the capture of Proctors Army, he only escaping—so that upper Canady is now considerd as conquerd. it has brought the savage Tribes to sue for peace, and to send their wives and Children as hostages, they offer to join our Army against their late allies
The public papers will give you a more accurate account than I can, and to them I must refer you for particulars
several of our frigates have been blockaded through the Summer, but are now getting ready for sea, that they have escaped capture is wonderfull, when we consider the Navy of Great Britain has been in pursuit of them, yet in despight of the whole blockading Squardon. Commodore Rogers both went out, and made a cruize of 5 Months, and then returnd in safety, and how rides in the harbour of Newport,
our season has been abundently productive, our climate healthy, the coasting trade is much obstructed, flower is very high, and west India produce high, but if the War continues our 74s will open our communication, and we Shall Soon have three of them fit for sea.
I have the pleasure to say to you, that you Sons are well; that your Brother attended a semi annual exhibition yesterday, and was much gratified at the progress made by them in their Studies. John is spoken of as a very good latin scholor. he is the most active, spirited little thing you can imagine— I say little thing for he is small of his Age, while George has almost attained the stature of manhood. he is improveing himself in the French language, and altho he may not Speak it easily, the instruction you gave him, was not lost as he appears very  fond of reading it—in his handwriting he is most deficient, but he is taking great pains to mend in that.
my kind Love to my daughter, to whom I have repeatedly written since I received a line from her to my grand Sons and grandaughter I request to be rememberd. Caroline may write to her Brother, but if she should not, say to him, that his Father and sister are both well,
With the hope of hearing Soon from you / I subscribe you ever affectionate / Mother
Abigail Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 23 October 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

N. 41.
St. Petersburg 23. October 1813

Mr. W. Story, arrived at Gothenburg on the 28th: of last Month, and forwarded to me from that place several Letters from Quincy, among which was your N. 25/16 May 7. 1812. and 30/21 May 21. and July 1. 1813.—In this last I read thus “With my present letter I shall forward a copy of our Current account, under a separate cover &c.” I looked anxiously for the separate cover, for reasons which I explained to you in my last, but was disappointed.
The duplicate account for 1811. I received and acknowledged, also in my last—There is a minute on it dated 2 March of the present year, promising to send the account of 1812 by some surer conveyance—Your letter of 25. April 1813. brought by Mr. Bayad, says “if I have time to transcribe my last account I will find it by this opportunity”—but no account came—Now, the promise is positive, but the separate cover has not come to hand.—It so happens that the Account us precisely the thing the most essential for me to receive—But I cannot receive it untill it shall have been dispatched.—As have some reason to suppose that there are other letters which came by the arrival at Gothenburg, but which have not yet been transmitted to us, I indulge the hope that the seperate cover is among the number, and that I shall yet receive it in time to form a judgment how I may give you the directions most suitable to my interest and to your own.
The other letters, which I say we have reason still to expect, by this arrival at Gothenburg, are dispatches, relating to our public situation—The vessel sailed from New Haven about the 22d. of August, but we have nothing by her later than the middle of July. She brought Newspapers to the 20th. of August, and we learn by letters from Stockholm and Gothenburg, that the Session of Congress had closed before she sailed—That the votes of the U. S. Senate upon the nominations to the Extraordinary Mission had materially affected its Constitution; and indeed have left us in doubt how it is now constituted.—If there were any prospect that the Mediation would be finally accepted by G. Britain I should strongly regret what we hear the Senate have decided, on merely public Considerations—In the present aspect of affairs I regret it as a symptom of discordancy between the two first branches of our Government, and as an example of harshness towards a public servant, which I cannot but consider as equally unnecessary and undeserved—at least on the part of those to whom it must be ascribed.
The vessel which brought Mr. Gallatin and Mr. Bayard to this Country is still here—They have been waiting for a definitive answer from England, nearly two Months—This answer ought to have been received before now—The Navigation of the Gulph of Finland and of the Baltic has already become very dangerous, and in one fortnight more will probably be impracticable—They had concluded to send the Ship to Gothenburg, and in case of an ultimate refusal from England, to go on by land to Gothenburg, from whence they could sail untill late in the Winter, or early again in the Spring.—At present it is Mr. Gallatin’s intention to go directly home in the Ship, and that of Mr. Bayard to pass the Winter here, unless the answer from England should come before Mr. Gallatin’s departure.
As long as we enjoyed the blessed state of neutrality, the British Officers and judges who broke open my letters, and then denied the fact, or indorsed it according to Circumstances, were in the wrong, and I had a right to complain of their  procedure—But now, according to the laws of War, I have nothing to say if they inspect my Correspondence; provided they come honestly by it; and I am so sensible to the politeness of Sir John Sherbrook, that if the occasion should present itself I would cheerfully return him the Compliment, in the same way—The frequent instances however which have occurred both before and since the commencement of the War, of our letters falling into thn hands for which they were not intended warn us continually of the necessity of circumspection—We must follow the example of Peter Pindar’s Prudence—who
of opinions though possessed, a store,
Still left them, with her pattens, at the door.
I may however be permitted, cordially to congratulate you, upon the birth of your second Son, and to mark my approbation of the Patriotism, with which you have devoted him to the service of his Country—According to present appearance, she will need the services of all our Sons, and as far as my inclinations go, the lives of all mine shall be devoted to her—That they may be prompted and enabled to render her useful Service, in their day and generation is among my first and most fervent prayers to God.
I am, ever affectionately your’s.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 24 October 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Daughter
Quincy October 24th 1813

I have had Such repeated melancholy tidings to communicate to you, Since your absence, and your own Bosom has been so often wounded, that I have felt loth to take up my pen to address you, upon an event which has plunged me in Greif, in which I know you cannot fail to participate.
you knew—you loved, and you valued the dear departed Child whom I mourn. She is gone I trust to reap the Reward of a virtuous Life—Her Brother to whom She was very dear—will keenly feel this new affliction—for himself and his Parents. Her Son, her absent Son—“I Shall never see my dear William again,” were Some of her last words—
May he never forget her advice her admonitions, her hours of anxious Solicitude for him
I have written to him and to my Son, by various ways a circumstantial account of this melancholy event, upon which perhaps I am too apt to dwell. Religion teaches me, Silence and Submission. this can assuage, but can never Suppress the Deep drawn Sigh, which recollection for ever brings up, and which will endure, untill recollection and Life are extinguishd together.
She has left me the Dear Caroline to Supply her place, in my affections, and She is worthy of the tenderest I can bestow—Her Father deeply wounded, has remaind with us Since the Death of his Dear partner. we Shall Soon lose him, as he will go to Congress from hence—
I have been So long without Letters that I am very impatient to hear from you, and regreet the necessity you are under of passing one other winter in that cold climate
your Sons are well, and always longing for your return. they are So grown, that they will make you feel old—
I had a Letter from new orleans from your Brother dated in july. he was well and wrote to inquire after you, and to know the certainty of a marriage which he had learnd from a News paper—
I have not heard from Adelaide for these two Months. She remains unmarried I beleive.
I cannot close my Letter without informing you that my good cousin Betsy Smith, was last week led to the Hymeneal Alter, by mr Hull of Boston, a respectable widdower near her own Age, with agreable prospects in Life at which I Sincerely rejoice—and miss Susan Storer is next week to be married to the Rev’d mr Eaton, an Episcopal Pastor of the north Church in Boston—
Mrs Bailey has a Daughter. Harriot welch remains Single as well as Harriot & Mary Otis. they go this winter to Washington
judge Adams has a Son about 4 Months old by the Name of Isaac Hull—
our Naval Heroes increase So fast, that we are at a loss for honours to bestow.
Perry deserves a Ship of the Line—but I must not write politicks—I hope my Son gets the Papers—at this time they would comfort him, for victory has crowned our Arms by Sea and Land
My Love to my Grandsons & Daughter—May I live to see them once more in their native Country
ever yours—
A A


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 25 October 1813
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

N. 52.
St: Petersburg 25. October 1813.

If I could have omitted to welcome the return of this day, and to renew my prayers for many happy repetitions of it to my father and you, I should still have been charged with the obligation of acknowledging the receipt of your two letters of 1. and 14. July which I received last week from Gothenburg—They were brought to that City by Mr Story, who writes me that he had a long passage from Boston—We received however at the same time, though I know not whether by the same, or by another Vessel, Newspaper Accounts from New-York to the 20th: of August.
Although I am duly sensible to the gentlemanly politeness of Sir John Sherbrook, in permitting my letters to be transmitted to you, I do not wish to give him the trouble to peruse any more of my Epistles, or to write any adapted for his perusal—yet I see not why I should withhold my Opinions upon some of the subjects mentioned in your Letters—For instance—
I am not of Opinion with the Senate of Massachusetts that the present War is waged, on the part of the United States without justifiable Cause—as little am I of their Opinion that it has been prosecuted in a manner indicating that Conquest and Ambition are its real motives—But if I concurred with them in both those Opinions, I should still from the bottom of my Soul disclaim the conclusion which the said Honourable Senate have drawn from it and declared to be their sense—to wit that it is not becoming a Moral and Religious People to express any approbation of Military or Naval Exploits, which are not immediately connected with the defence of our Sea Coast and Soil.
A Moral and Religious People are bound in sacred duty to express approbation of military or naval exploits performed in their service, even although the Senate of Massachusetts should think the War unjust—even though the War should be really unjust—provided that they who performed the exploits believed it to be just—The Virtue of all Action depends upon the motives of the actor, and it is neither moral nor religious, to take Mr Quincy’s opinion as to the Justice of the Cause, for a standard to measure the merit of exploits atchieved by Hull, Decatur, and Bainbridge—There is a Book much esteemed by moral and religious men, which says “who art thou, that judgest another man’s servant? to his own Master he standeth or falleth”—If I could degrade myself in my own mind, and sink deep enough into the kennels of faction to embrace the opinion that the redemption of my sea-faring Countrymen from the accursed oppression of British Press-gangs is not a justifiable cause of War, I should still think it possible that other men, quite as patriotic as myself might be of a different opinion—And when I saw such men displaying Heroic Virtue in support of their Country’s Cause, and sealing the sincerity of their belief with their blood, I should feel and would express approbation of their exploits, unless with the loss of all sense of my Countrys Rights, I had also lost all sense of Morals, Religion and Truth.
I had seen some weeks since in the English News-papers this pious Resolution; but I never thought much of its ingenuity, even as a party measure—I knew very well that it could disgrace none but those who voted for it—I knew very well that if the exploits should continue to be atchieved, the Moral and Religious People, would not ask Mr Quincy or the Senate of Massachusetts, for permission to express their approbation of them; and if the dead of glory was performed, I cared very little whether Mr Quincy or the Senate of Massachusetts expressed their approbation of it or not. The approbation which avowedly hangs the Virtue of one man upon the motives of another is too worthless to be an object of desire to men of real Honour, Morals, or Religion.
Since I began this letter, I have seen the National Intelligencers of 3 and 5. August containing all the proceedings of the U. S. Senate upon the nominations to the Russian Missions and the projected Mission to Sweden—The situation in which these transactions place us is a little awkward; but we have yet no official information of the Event. We have no reason to expect that the British Government will treat at all under the Mediation, but Mr Gallatin and Mr Bayard have hitherto been waiting here for a final answer from England, which has not yet been received—They have at their disposal the ship in which they came and intended to send her round to Gothenburg before the freezing of the river here—Her departure has however been so long delayed, that it is not certain she will now be able to get away—We have the ground already covered with snow, and Fahrenheit’s thermometer at ten degrees below the freezing point—Four or five days of such weather will lock us up for the winter.
We are as well as we can expect to be in this climate at this Season—To morrow I settle Charles at School for the Winter—I was disappointed at not finding enclosed in your letter the one that George had promised you—Remember me affectionately to all friends, and especially to my dear Sister if she is with you—God grant she may be restored to health and comfort—
I am ever faithfully your’s
A,30. Octr: 1813.
I have just learnt that the sufferings of my dear Sister, upon Earth have ceased. I put my trust in God; that her reward in a better world is proportioned to her trial in this—And I pray that in this deep affliction divine consolations may be wanting to none of us to whom she was deservedly dear, and in an especial manner to my father and you, that they may be great and abundant.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to William Smith Shaw, 26 October 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear Sir
Quincy october 26th 1813

Mr Cutter is very desirious that you and any person we may agree upon Should go to medford and take a survey of the Barn and agree to build one, either by contract or as would be best, by employing Cutter to undertake it.
I have agreed with Mr Foster to go up in my behalf, when ever it will be convenient for you to accompany him. Cutter should be informd when—the size and dimensions of the Barn ought to be fixed, and the probable cost estimated the Sooner this is done; the better as materials may be collected this winter;
you will be So good as to See and converse with mr Foster upon the subject.
I am affectionatly yours,
A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 1 November 1813
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Warren, Mercy Otis

My Dear Madam
Quincy Nov’br 1st 1813

I was so highly gratified with the visit from your Grandaughter that I could not leave her to write, knowing that She had determined to remain with me only two days
She brought me your kind and Friendly Letter, which was doubly precious to me; as it gave me the assurance, that you had recoverd from an illness, which made me dread for several posts, to hear from plimouth.
With a mind unimpared, affections warm, and Friendship glowing, You invite me again to your Hospitable Mansion. My Spirit would hold Sweet converse with you but the flesh is weak, and the Season So far advanced that I go not from home for a Night. we must therefore Solace ourselves with an interchange of Letters, which are reset to a personal interview
My Dear Girls were so delighted with their visit and found So many attractions by the Side of my venerable Friend, that they cease not to dwell upon the recollection, with Rapture—and the polite attentions from the Youthfull part of Your Family quite Charmed them.
I hope the acquaintance So pleasingly commenced will ripen and mature with their years; and the Family Friendship desend to those who are rising up to fill our places
I was much pleased with your grandson Winslow. his modest manners, So pleasingly blended, with a Sedate and aquisitive mind, are Sure presages of future Eminence
Your request my Dear Friend, for Some Letters of my Sons, I comply with, altho I have in Several Instances refused them, as they were written for the use and benifit of his Sons, when their minds Should be Sufficiently  matured to comprehend them. he might consider it, an ostentation if I permitted them to circulate.
Mr Shaw got possession of them; and through him I beleive; they have been heard of, and I have given the perusal of them to a few of my particular Friend’s. I regreet that the  is incompleat from two numbers being missing, never having arrived
You will be kind enough to return them, when you have Sufficiently perused them
I also inclose you a Letter from my Son to his Father, which may divert you. the Letter containing an account of his interview with Madam de Stael, has never reachd us—
we have not any late accounts from him, nor do I know what credit to give the Rumours, in circulation respecting the return of our Envoys. Time must disclose—
Col. Smith will leave us for Washington this week,—his whole behaviour has been Such; as we could wish and accorded with our own feelings, and Sentiments, upon an event; which gives rise, to the deep drawn Sigh, and painfull recollection of Blessings fled never to return—
He requests to be presented to you; with acknowledgments for your Friendly attentions to him, and his Daughter on their last visit,
We unitedly, and severally greet you, and tender you the continuence of Ancient Friendship, and your full respect and Devotion—
To the former of which / I Subscribe affectionatly / yours
Abigail Adams


Title: From Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Smith Adams, 6 November 1813
From: Warren, Mercy Otis
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Plymo. Ms. Novr. 6th. 1813

With the same glow of affection which has for many years been cherished in my bosom, I received yours of the first Instt. and seldom indeed do I meet with any thing in the Letters of my Friend Mrs Adams that causes a moments uneasiness.—But I have been anxious since your last & more so since the arrival of this day’s Post least some accident may have happened to a valuable Packet which I was led to expect would have accompanied your Letter.—You observed, that you complied with my request to peruse some Letters of your absent Son.—You request also that they may be returned when I have sufficiently perused them.—This led me to suppose that they were sent on, or that they would have been this day.—As we find nothing of them I have though proper to inform you immediately. I should be very much mortified if so kind an Effort to oblige should have felt under any misfortune by  mistake or other ways.— If they were entrusted to a Post Conveyance the failure must have been in the Quincy Office.—
I am highly gratified by your expressions of esteem & love to my dear children who have recently visited you.—My dear Mercy Otis gives her hand for life on Monday Evening to a Gentleman who I hope will prove worthy of such a heart as she possesses.—I think I have told you before how much I was gratified by the visit from your Children & if I should live shall hope for a repetition as you assure me the enjoyment of their visit was mutual.—
If Colo. Smith is not gone you will express to him my regards & best wishes for his present & future happiness.—
Your kind greetings jointly & severally are reciprocated by a heart which never can forget former friendships or be indifferent to the existence of present friendly feelings which warm the bosom of
Mercy Warren