Title: Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 28 August 1796
From: Johnson, Louisa Catherine
To: Adams, John Quincy

            Clapham August 28th 96

          How shall I answer my dear friends last charming letter where find words adequate to the pleasure I experienced at reading it the idea of your returning almost compensates for the pain I felt at parting— Yet shall I confess fears arise which never presented themselves before. When I reflect upon the part in life I shall have to act with the little I have seen of the world my conscious deficiency appears manifest and I already think I see you blush for my awkwardness but I know the generosity of your disposition and am convinced you will forgive and encourage me by your kindness to mend—
          You ask me how I spend my time I wish my friend you had touched on any other subject for I must candidly confess I have profited little by my retirement but it is yourself who are the cause by (shall I say it) intruding too often on my thoughts— Permit me to beg you will let me know some time previous to your departure as

Papa & Mama wish for all possible time to prepare themselves for the seperation and hope it will not be very sudden—
          Alas I feel this the only drawback to my felicity but I must not always expect cloudless skies I acknowledge my lot has been cast in a fair graine and on this ought to acquire a little of your philosophy that Heaven may hasten the time when we shall meet and propitious winds blow you safely to England where you will find a harbour is the sincere prayer of your unalterable friend

            Louisa C. Johnson


Title: Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 11 September 1796
From: Adams, Charles
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dear Mother
            New York Sepr 11 1796

          Your favor of the 6th instant came to hand yesterday. I can give you no certain information respecting Col Smiths affairs He has a vast property in his hands but is very much embarrased for want of money to make his regular payments as they become due Whether on the winding up he will have anything left is what I believe neither he or anyone else knows. He acted on a very large scale and whatever he may think you and I know he is not a Robert Morris.
          Mrs Adams had a short return of the ague but is now very well the child also grows finely and is very healthy I have thought that it might be pleasing to my father and would be a tribute of respect to my venerable grandmother to name our little girl Susanah Boylston which shall be her name if you and my father concur with me in sentiment. It would give me great pleasure and would contribute much to the health and satisfaction of Mrs Adams to pass a few weeks with you but we shall be prevented by prudential reasons. Such is the State of affairs in this City at present European speculations have turned so little to the advantage of many engaged in them that Lawyers are in great demand An absence of one week might deprive me of more business than at another time I should get in three months and as the City is in general remarkably healthy We must postpone our visit this fall. I had letters from both my brothers last week dated the 10th of June Thomas has been very ill of a bilious fever which confined him near four months he has recovered and writes in high spirits The Minister seems also to be

indisposed though I am inclined to think his malady is not dangerous being seated about the region of the heart. He returned from England the latter end of May. I do not know what to make of a conversation I had with Mr King soon after his appointment to England. I met him in the Street He said he supposed I had heard of my brothers appointment I told him I had not, he then informed me that he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to Portugal and remarked that though it was more out of the center of information yet he hoped as it was an honorable promotion he would accept it. Since this conversation I have heard nothing about the appointment. My father appears not to know of it and I am quit puzled I should think Mr King would not have made such a declaration unless he had very good ground for it and it appears strange if it is the case that nobody else seems to know anything about the business.
          I forgot to mention to my father that I had his Cujacius in my posesion they are in ten volumes in folio I had to appraise them at the Custom House which I did at ten pounds supposing that to be about the original cost the duty on them I think amounted to about one guinea. Mrs Adams joins me in presenting our respects to my father and yourself.
          Your affectionate son

            Chas Adams


Title: John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 12 September 1796
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Johnson, Louisa Catherine

            The Hague September 12. 1796.

          I have received, my amiable friend, your letters of the 19th: and 28th: of last month, and am properly grateful for the readiness with which you consent to accompany my rambling destinies. The sacrifice which you will be obliged to make in quitting your paternal roof, is so great, that it gives me not a little anxiety. To give you a substitute for it, I cannot expect. That you should ever have reason to regret it is an idea of which even the possibility is painful.— Suffer me therefore to beg you once more not to place in too fair a light the prospects which present themselves to you. [Look a]t them often on their dark side. Be assured that they offer many aspects

which are [far fro]m being promising. I wish you to reflect thoroughly upon them all, because I think you will be better prepared for those evils and inconveniences some of which are inevitable, and all of which are possible.
          The aukwardness of novelty which you dread in the new scene of life into which you are to enter is in my mind a very little object indeed.— But when you speak of my blushing for your aukwardness I think you must have meant to rally me a little. The parade of dignity annexed to rank, is a thing for which I have no sort of respect, and I need not tell you how far I am from possessing a particle of it myself.—
          I confess that the station in which I have to move, is one of my greatest causes of regret.— You think me ambitious, and will therefore perhaps suspect the sincerity of this declaration— But it is perfectly true.— I never had a wish to be placed so high in the world at so early period of my life.— The station itself is temporary. I cannot if I would, hold it long. I would not if I could.— I must therefore always be ready at an hour’s warning, to return to that of private life and no fortune.— For that variety you too must be prepared in connecting yourself with me, and in order to be well prepared for it, consider rank itself as an object of no consequence since it must so soon be resigned.
          I shall certainly inform you of my departure as soon as I shall be able to fix upon it myself. But at present I have very little hopes of meeting you before the Spring.— I do not apprehend being delayed longer than that; but I am not at my own disposal, and must wait with a Patience, which I find it very difficult on this occasion to command, for the pleasure of my Masters.— When I receive my orders it will take me some time to settle my affairs here before I can remove, especially as I expect then to part from my brother who proposes to return to America.
          You have profited little you say in your retirement, but I believe yo[u do no]t give yourself so good a report as you deserve. I have no doubt but that y[ou will] every where rapidly improve, as you know so well the value of time.
          Adieu my lovely friend, I remain with the most faithful affection, yours.

            A.


Title: William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 16 September 1796
From: Cranch, William
To: Adams, John Quincy

            My dear friend
            Washington Septr. 16. 1796.—

          The want of opportunity, and leisure, has a long time prevented me from writing you. The ship Mary Peggy, from Georgetown for Amsterdam has moved down & now lies in the stream opposite my house, waiting for the wind & tide. I have tried for a fortnight past to get a moment’s leisure to write you, but Messrs. Morris & Nicholson are now here and their business together with the settlement & payment of the accounts for ten large brick houses which I have built for Mr. Morris since 25th. June last, has occupied every moment of my time. I never knew what full Employment was ’till I came to this City.—
          I know nothing of Politics.— It is said & believed that the President will resign.— The two principal Candidates are the present Vice President & Mr. Jefferson.— It is thought that the district to which I belong will vote for the former, and I am led to hope that Virginia will also have a Majority in favr. of the same Candidate, notwithstanding his unpardonable Crime in repeating the odious word “Well-born” in his book upon Government.— I have often fell into Company where the Character of this Patriot has been the subject of Conversation, and the only aspertion which democratic violence could suggest was that he used the word “well-born.” The noise about the treaty has nearly subsided, and in the jacobin papers the only cant words are “British Amity,” & “exclusive Patriots.”—
          I had a letter from my Mother of the 7th. Inst. in which she says your father is well & your Mother (whose health has not been good for some time past) is getting better. Our other friends are well. My Brother Norton is like to be starved out of his parish, & will probably have to seek a living elsewhere.—
          This City is an object which undoubtedly attracts the attention of many People in Europe, and you may wish to know it’s present situation & future prospects.— It contains about 100 hansome brick houses the greatest part of which are yet unfinished & of course uninhabited. The price of Lots has been nearly stationary for 18 Months past—the average may be stated at 10 Cents per square foot by retail.— There are also about 100 decent wooden dwelling houses occupied by tradesmen.— These houses are scatter’d about over the whole face of the City and there is yet but little appearance of a

town.— The Congress has authorised a loan for the finishing the public buildings, of $300,000—on the Credit of which the Capitol has progressed considerably this season, and one wing of it (which is large enough to accommodate the Congress) will be cover’d by the end of 1797.— The Presidents house is nearly ready to receive the Roof.— The Navigation of the Patowmack is also in great forwardness, and the locks at the great falls will probably be completed in the Course of the next year.— The rise of the property here has been in some instances 2400 per Cent since 1793.—but in general it has not been so great. It is, however, clear in my opinion that any one who will purchase property here & can afford to keep it 4 or 5 years will make immense profit.— So much for City of Washington.—
          My own time has been most completely occupied, but my health & that of all my family has been perfectly good ever since I have been here. We have not had one hour’s sickness.— I have in family Mr. Eliot & his sister Betsy—Doctr. May from Boston & four servants.— My Nancy is everything I could wish or hope for, as a Wife & friend.— We have not once had the least difference of sentiment, and neither satiety nor disgust have follow’d from 18 months enjoyment. We have a boy about 9 months old, who is perfect in his limbs & shape, who is as robust a child as I ever saw—is tight & fat, his joints well Knit, & is a full blooded Yankee, begotten on the Banks of Merrimack, in Nature’s fullest Glee. He has a Countenance full of jolly smiles—his mothers forehead & Eyes, a nose compounded of the two & a mouth a little resembling his father when he smiles.— He is often passionate but very seldom cries.— Excuse the father for saying so much of a […] in whom you can have no other Interest tha[n that h]e belongs to me.—
          I intend to write a line to my dear friend your brother, but if I should not have time, please tell him I would have written. I have tried much to get some good tobacco for him, but altho’ we live in the midst of a tobacco Country, no one will take the pains to manufacture it.— I have requested a friend of mine to send to Petersburgh in Virginia, (where only the good tobacco can be had) for a Keg, but it has not arrived yet, & the ship is now sailing.
          With every wish for your happiness & that of / your amiable Brother, believe me most / sincerely & affectionately your friend

            W. Cranch.


Title: Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 25 September 1796
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

            my Dear Thomas
            Sep’br 25th 1796 Quincy

          Your Letter of June the 29th was as refreshing to me as cold water to a thirsty Soul. the very superscription gave a flow to my spirits which I had not experienced for many Months before. be assured not one unkind thought ever enterd my mind at not hearing from you. it was anxious Solisitude for Your Health, painfull suspence at what might be the cause of Your long silence. Your Brother had informd me from England, that you had been sick, and the Nature of your Complaints. Maternal affection felt the pains, heightned by the Idea of Distance, a foreign Land, destitute of Fraternal aid, and those alleviations which Soothe the Heart, and mitigate the Sufferings. Not a Bosom as Sterns Says to Uncle Toby, to rest Your Head upon, nor a Heart to repose Your Sorrows to. poor Fellow, if after commisiration and pity, could assuage even the pain of recollection, be assured You would find an ample fund, sufficient to allay them all, in the sympathetic Heart of Your Mother, who has herself experienced much ill Health through the Summer. I would recommend to You to try the Waters of Bath. they are said to be Soverign in those complaints to which you are Subject. Your Brothers New appointment will determine You to return Home next spring I presume. I should however recommend to you to visit France before that period. See for yourself a very extradonary People, whose

future Destiny no Eye can penetrate, nor am I sufficently versd in the Prophesys, with Pater West, to rejoice in this Revolution which has consignd so many Innocent Victims to the World of Spirits, immolated so many fellow Creatures, to Mad ambition, and a thirst of Domination and conquest which now mark every step of their progress. Heaven grant that we may not be Scorched by their Flames. even at this Distance we feel the Heat of them.
          The die is cast! All America is or ought to be in mourning The President of the united states refuses again to be considerd as a canditate for that office. He has addrest the people of the united states. read and Judge for yourself. is it not repleat with profound wisdom? how enlarged and comprehensive his views? How wise and judicious his advise? and, his warnings? with a modesty, I could almost say, peculiar to himself, with a Heart and mind Duly imprest with Religious Sentiments and an affectionate attachment to his Countrymen, he resigns the important trusts Committed to him, coverd with Glory and Crownd with Laurels, which will place him in the Archives of Time with the first of Heroes and the greatest of Benefactors to Mankind.
          The present period is to the people of America a solemn pause! an Epoch in their Annals Big with the Fate of America.
          Heaven Guide and direct them.
          Before your Letter of June reachd me I felt so anxious for you, that I requested your Father to write to the Secretary of state, and inquire of him if any Letter had reachd him of a later Date. he was kind enough to reply and make some extracts from them, and at the close of his Letter, he says “the intelligence with which the Letters of your Youngest Son have been written, shew that the affairs of the united States in the Netherlands might very well be intrusted to his direction,[”] but he adds, I do not know what are the Presidents intentions.
          I quote this passage to shew you that your Letters have given satisfaction. the President has not left to a successor the promotion of Your Brother. I find by the Secretary of States Letter, that he was to remain in Holland untill further orders. when he receives them, I presume he will go to England and take his companion, who I hope will prove to him all he wants, and all he wishes, who will Do him good and not evil all the Days of her Life. I have felt a little anxious least I should have hurt his feelings in some sentiments exprest to him in a Letter, soon after I heard of his appointment, but he must

asscribe them to the real cause an anxious Solicitude for his welfare—
          adieu my Dear son. may you be safely returnd to Your Native land, and to the Arms of / your affectionate Mother

            Abigail Adams


Title: Joshua Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 30 September 1796
From: Johnson, Joshua
To: Adams, John Quincy

            Dear Sir.
            London 30 Septemr. 1796.

          Your favor of the 13th came to hand on the 26th. by which I find that you had not determined on the time of your departure or the Rout you should persue, tho you say you should prefer that by way of England if you are permitted & a Passage in a Neutral Vessell could be obtaind to carry you to your destination; I donot know the propriutory or Impropiutory of your comeing this way, therefore I will not venture an opinion on the case, but should you fix on this rout you need not be under any apprehentions of meeting with Neutral Vessells to convey you when you want to go as many are continually going back & forward. It is true, I do know the motive of your wishing to come this way & I should not act candid if I was not to tell you, that I wish it & that before the Month of March as I find it absolutely necessary for me to quit this for Amica either in that

Month or early in April! for unless I go to Amica soon I may loose every thing that I have been labouring for during my life & leave my Family unprovided for & even unprotected, on meeting I can explain more to you & you will also have an opportunity to confer & make such arrangements as may tend to your future happiness & relieve me from a doubt whether my Child is to go with me or not
          I had receved previous to your letter, an Official communication from Mr. King, that the Directory of France, had come to the determination not to molest our Flag, I wish this Country would act with the same moderation; but they cannot help every now & then takeing some of our Vessells.—
          By the latest Accounts from Amica we find that the opinion of the People is altered. it is now generally beleived that the President will be reelected & that he will serve the Office, it will be productive of one good & which is the prevention of a struggle for the Seat.— Dr. Nichol & Mr. Anstic are the Commissions appointed on the part of this Governmt to Settle the claims for our Captured property, the Commissions have advrtized to meet on the 10th. of next Month to do business & they tell me that they have hopes of finishing the whole in Eighteen Months, I much wish they may but I have my doubts— I am now looking out for an opportunity to send you the Books Mr. Hall left with me and as soon as I can meet with one they shall be forwarded—
          Mr. Bourne had wrote me that he had determined on postponeing his Visit to Amrica this Year & informed me of his Intentions to carry on Business at Amsterdam, I have a very high respect for this Gentleman & when I get fixt in Amrica shall do my best endeavors to serve him—
          It is with much pleasure that I can inform you that Mrs. Johnson & all the Ladies are well, they Join in Affectionate Compliments to you; with every Sentiment of regard I am / Dear Sir / Your Affecte. Freind

            Joshua Johnson


Title: Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 30 September 1796
From: Johnson, Louisa Catherine
To: Adams, John Quincy

            London Septbr: 30th 1796

          After waiting with extreme anxiety I recieved my friend your very short letter of the 12th Inst which afforded me both pleasure and pain: it has realized an apprehension I had lately entertained, I knew not why of your having erroneously supposed me dazzled with what you stile rank. Permit to say that having always been taught to consider domestic happiness alone permanent I am and sincerely hoped to have remained a stranger to pomp.
          I have hitherto from a point of delicacy declined mentioning your public situation at least my opinion of it lest you might have considered it as offering the guidance of my weak judgement and next that you might not in any degree have been biassed through your much valued esteem for me. Yet have I frequently wished to persuade you to relinquish every station that detained you from your friends and Country.
          True my Sex is esteemed fond of parade so that you may probably be inclined to doubt the truth of this assersion if such are your sentiments allow me however anxiously to await your return to America where I shall be happy to prove that you and not your rank engross my every wish.

          Now suffer me to offer you my most affectionate thanks for your candor in indulging me with an opportunity of an eclaicissement so requisite to our mutual happiness.
          Respecting the dangers incident to my Voyage many of which you wish me to suppose inevitable, many more as possible you advise me to weigh well the matter which I am to do by contemplating the dark side (pleasing admonition) however I have availed myself of it and painted the scene gloomy as possible. but with you at the head find every idea of danger vanish.
          Be assured I shall always be ready to return with you to private life and no fortune nor shall I need a previous preparation to induce me to consider rank itself an object of no consequence
          Convinced of your affection and in the constant hope of soon hearing from you I with pleasure subscribe myself your tenderly attached

            Louisa C. Johnson


Title: John Quincy Adams to Charles Adams, 25 October 1796
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Charles

            My dear Brother
            The Hague October 25th: 1796

          I have received your letter of September 7th: with the account current, which as you observe, though not altogethe mercantile in point of form is fully intelligible and satisfactory.
          As I shall as soon as it is in my power authorise you to make another draught on my account, I shall remind you of two directions

contained in my former letters and from which it is my wish that you will in no case depart. It is to make no draught at a discount but rather to draw at times when an advantage may be made of your bills. The other is, on no account whatever to incur an illegal risk, or aim at an illegal profit in the employment of my money. As to the first point, where there is a great fluctuation in the course of Exchange, common prudence must dictate to those who are under no restraint of time to chose that which offers a fair and just benefit, and avoid that when the transaction must involve a loss. The other objection arising from a conscientious regard to the laws is obvious. I shall of course be the more gratified in proportion as my property is productive, and have no objection to any rational risk for a proportionable profit; but I prefer infinitely the small benefit of legal interest, if a choice must be made between that, and any gain whatever that is obnoxious to the laws.
          I have also received your favour of August 11. by Captain Spring, and congratulate you upon the birth of your Daughter. I will not say that I envy your happiness, because I shall always rejoyce at your prosperity. But what a sorry figure politics and celibacy and the perpetual cold bath of a Dutch atmosphere, make in comparison with learned Council a wife and daughter, and new-York with real air to breath, instead of a rarefied Canal. As to warm weather, if any faith is to be placed in augury, I shall at no very distant period be favored with at least as much of it as you have. Whether I shall get into as warm a birth must be left for time to determine.
          I am obliged to you for the papers which you still send us once in a while and for the short letters, which you do write me— As for the long letters, which you intend to write me, the file of which is already considerable, and accumulating every two or three months, I believe I may as well thank you for them too, for if I reserve my acknowledgements untill I receive them, I fear you will never be rewarded for them according to their merits.
          We have seen the Presidents address to the people of the United States in a Boston Centinel of Septr: 24th: Its wisdom and spirit and parental solicitude, are worthy of his character; but I do most sincerely and deeply regret his determination to retire.
          The newspapers, which are constantly sent you, will give you accurate intelligence from this part of the world. I suppose you generally receive them late, but the position of the Country makes it impossible to transmit them earlier. You will find that the French

armies began the campaign with prodigious force, and penetrated very far into Germany, but have been driven back to the Rhine for the present. They will perhaps renew the attempt the next year.
          Lord Malmsbury has arrived at Paris as English Ambassador to negotiate a peace. The people both of France and England most ardently wish for peace. The Governments on one side or the other, probably on both think it not yet time. Projects of Conquest are indulged on both parties, and the adherence to them, will it is likely prevail more powerfully than the distress of nations groaning & bleeding under the burden of a war, for which conquest is now the only remaining pretext. Another year of contest is still expected. I trust our Country will have the wisdom to preserve its peace. The treaty with Britain has effectually given us the Posts; the Commission for settling the capture cases is now sitting in London and will have a probably advantageous and favourable termination. These are permanent, substantial, undeniable benefits. They will remain when the clamours and riots of faction shall only be remembered as a stain and become a reproach in the mouth of faction itself. I hope however these will not be forgotten. Let them serve as indications of designs, which were happily defeated, and the memorial of the past may operate as a guard against the preparations of the future.
          Remember me affectionately to your lady, and be assured of the invariable sentiments of your brother.


Title: John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 October 1796
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

            My Dear son
            Quincy October 28. 1796

          I have this Morning, filed in order your Letters and have now in one bundle before me from No. 6 to No. 23 inclusively and will take care they shall not be again Seperated.
          The Western Posts are all delivered, and the Commissions in a good Way.— Mr King and Mr Gore in England and I hope Mr Pinkney in France, will be your Friends bothe Personally and Politically.
          You are destined to Portugal and will take with you, I presume an

help meet, and may God grant you and her a double Portion of his choicest Blessings
          I am Still delighted with your Facts, your Opinions, your Principles and your Feelings. I believe them just.
          Electioneering goes on, with as little Bitterness as can be expected, but exactly as you would anticipate.
          If the President should direct you to charge your Brother with our affairs, I hope he will Stay at the Hague till he hears farther from me.
          I do not approve of your Projects of quitting the Diplomatic Career at present; much less of your Thoughts of settling in the Southern States.
          You need not be anxious about the Succession to The Presidency, for whoever shall be chosen I dare answer for it, he will not disgust you, either by promoting others over you, or by any other ill treatment. No Man who has been mentioned or thought of, but has a just Value for your Merits. Even if your Father should be the Person he will not so far affect a Disinterest as to injure you. If Jefferson if Henry if Jay, Hamilton or Pinckney, should be elected your Honour and Promotion will be in no hazard
          But you know, I do not allow myself to write you upon Public Affairs at present. I hope to be a better Correspondent, e’er long,— I am always / with a tender Affection your

            John Adams

            I have sent by this ship a Packet for Mr Tegelaar of Amsterdam containing his new Certificates. I shall wish to know if he has recd them


Title: Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 1 November 1796
From: Johnson, Louisa Catherine
To: Adams, John Quincy

            London Novbr 1st 1796

          How my much loved friend Shall I atone. for the uneasiness my last letter caused you— Could my picture at the moment I read those lines so descriptive of your affectionate pain have proved a true index of my soul it would I am persuaded in your gentle bosom

have procured my peace— Allow me to say I saw in yours, or thought I saw an inexpressible something that did not do justice to the sincerity of my affection, and anxious to eradicate every suspicion of being too much elated with your situation, induced me to be thus explicit, but a truce with explanations we are I trust equally convinced and I am certain mutually satisfied—
          You have spoken peace and Oh may it prove our constant attendant— May distrust with all its baneful tribe be far, far from our hearts— At this moment look at my picture and if it expresses the feelings of the original, it greatly exceeds what my pen is capable of— You will ere this I flatter myself have recieved your dispatches, and may they be propitious to my happiness, for be assured my friend whatever declarations I make relative to our longer separation, though voluntary they are no less painful sacrifices, for be assured the world itself without you will ever be an aching void to your

            L. C. Johnson


Title: Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 11 November 1796
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John Quincy

            my Dear Son
            Quincy Nov’br 11th 1796

          I have to acknowledg the receipt of two kind Letters from You Since I wrote You last, No 21 from the Hague June 30. and No 22 July 25. for both of them accept my Cordial Thanks. Letters from either of my sons, give me a flow of spirits for a week, and a Durable gratification in the perusal of them, as they contain judicious reflections and observations which would do honour to the most experienced Statesmen, not only in the partial mind of a fond Parent, but are so esteemed by disinterested judges.
          Before this reaches You, the Solemn News of the Presidents declaration to retire from the publick service together with his Excellent address to the people, will no Doubt be communicated to you by some earlier opportunity. Words cannot do justice to this last Legacy. Where shall we look What Page of History can shew us a Character like Washingtons

            “Who has made fair Plenty through the Land increase
            Given Fame in War, and happiness in Peace”

          God Almighty bless him in this world and the next.
          You quite mistook my meaning, when I observed to You, “That if two Events Should take place, You must not expect promotion.[”] by the first I meant the Resignation of the President. the other was, that his successor might be one who would feel a Delicacy on account of your Personal Connection with him. but the President has not left this Subject to embarress his Successor, should he be the person contemplated, and whilst I consider it as the reward of Merrit I feel myself indebted to his Paternal care.

            “If to me Sons are given
            Such as in fondness, parents ask of Heaven”

          I rejoice that they are found worthy of the Confidence of their Country, and hope that they will ever prove Some of its firmest pillars and Supporters.
          I wrote to you upon My first hearing of your appointment to Portugal, and in My Zeal for your Welfare, I fear I might mix more warmth of expression, than on maturer reflection I ought to have Done. What ever I wrote was well intended. my fear arose from the Youth and inexperience of the Lady with whom you was about to connect yourself, least she should contract Tastes and Sentiments altogether Anti American, least the Stile and Manners of a court Should make too Deep an impression upon a Youthfull Mind, to realish the Republican Manners of an American
          Your experience will I hope gaurd you against those evils, and impress them upon her mind. I think you ought not to go to Portugal alone. Your Brother means to return to us. You whose chief delight is in Domestick Life, must feel yourself in a Desert without a companion. as you have fixd, and I trust wisely, I advise you to marry the Lady before you go to Portugal. Give my Love to her and tell her I consider her already as my Daughter, and as she made England delightfull to you, I hope she will, every other Country.
          As your return to America will be postponed, I shall not say any thing upon the intimation you gave of setling at the Southard. The Lady it is who is to forsake Father and Mother, and follow the fortunes of her Husband, but this must be the Subject of a future Letter.
          I inclose to you a News paper all the Arts of the Jacobins are in practise at the approaching Election, united with the Pride of the old Dominion and foreign influence. you will see in the paper which I have inclosed to Thomas, Adets Letter. You will mark the period at which it appears the people are not insensible to this movement. the News papers inform us that the most active measures are taking by the Democratic Societies to ensure success to their Candidate, by circulating Hand Bill containing libels on mr Adams. Gate post, Doors of Houses & posts are coverd through the Country, a right Gallic measure. Men are hired to ride through the Country with Bags of these Hand Bills. I do not however learn that they contain any thing but to represent him as attach’d to Monarchy to Tittles &c that he is Enemical to the Rights of the people, all of which these very engines of Mischief know to be false.
          they have Dropt all Candidates but the Vice President & mr

Jefferson, who on the other side has his Principles and pratises throughly Desected. inclosed is a paper which will give you some Idea of the subject, but who the writer is, is unknown both to your Father and to me.
          You will readily suppose that a fiery ordeal is prepareing.
          Our Friends here are all well and desired to be affectionatly rememberd to you. I am my Dear Son your / Ever affectionate Mother

            A Adams


Title: John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 12 November 1796
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Johnson, Louisa Catherine

            The Hague November 12. 1796.

          I received by the last Post, two Letters from your Pappa, my amiable friend, and looked in vain for a line from you. Not a syllable even to tell me you were well. I found indeed from your Pappa’s Letters that you had not at their date received my last, and therefore upon the rigour of etiquette, you were not obliged to write. I shall not complain, and attribute your silence rather to your usual aversion to writing, than to any remains of the temper which I was sorry to observe in your last Letter.
          This Circumstance however, painful in itself, was rendered still more so by its concurrence with the tenor of my letters from America received at the same time. They lengthen the prospect of my detention here, and deprive me almost entirely of the hopes I had so fondly indulged of meeting you before your Pappa’s return to America. The protraction of the time during which we must still be separated from each other, is a severe disappointment, and at present I have only to comfort myself with the hope that it will not be of long continuance. The residence of any part of Europe possesses very few attractions to my mind. A continual impulse directs my inclinations towards my own Country, and when you shall be there, it will be the center of all my affections; I shall therefore have the settled determination to shorten my continuance in Europe as much as possible, and upon the first moment when I shall be able consistently with my duty to my Country, to you and to my own affairs, I shall seize it with eagerness to share with you an humble but a contented lot.
          When a course of Events occurs which disappoints our wishes, it is a consolation to consider the circumstances in our lot which tend to alleviate the pain of disappointment.— I endeavour therefore to comfort myself with the consideration that although we must still delay the moment of our destined union it will eventually be formed in a situation which will require no subsequent sacrifices. That it will not expose us to form habits of attachment to the empty

baubles of a life connected with Courts. That you will in the interval become acquainted with the manners and habits of the People among whom the residue of your life is to be past, and will habituate yourself to them in such a manner, as not to remember with regret the idle unsubstantial pageantry of Europe. You will therefore find it easier to acquiesce and make yourself happy under the unambitious and unpretending style of life, which will be necessarily the lot of the companion to a Man, not gifted by Fortune, and determined to live Independent.— This consolation of Reason cannot indeed satisfy the Heart, but it contributes to silence its complaints.
          Without you, I am indeed fully sensible that all society will be insipid to me; I go but little into it here, and purposely avoid the public assemblies, balls and other parties where I should certainly find less satisfaction than I do alone with my books and the remembrance of you. To reading I have since my return here devoted more of time than ever. Indeed almost the whole that I have at my own disposal.— As my inclination leads me to believe that there is an heaviness of absence, to you too, I persuade myself that you also employ your leisure in acquiring the ornaments of an elegant mind, and I yet flatter myself with the hope that you will surmount altogether your aversion to writing, and prove by a frequent and interesting correspondence, that your own well adapted efforts have happily seconded the excellence of your natural understanding. Thus we shall both beguile in a great measure the tediousness of inevitable absence, by the consciousness of its rendering us continually more worthy of each other.
          Adieu my lovely friend. I remain with invariable affection your / tenderest friend.

            A.


Title: Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 13 November 1796
From: Warren, Mercy Otis
To: Adams, Abigail

            Plimouth Nov 13th 1796

          I return my dear madam miss Williams letters with Lovuts memoirs— am much obliged & hope have not detained them too long—

          am sorry to hear by Your late short billet that You do not enjoy perfect health—
          was the stage driver under any mistake when he told me you Contemplated a passage to Plimouth in the stage ere long— I hope he was not: as such a Circumstance would be exceedingly gratifying to Your friends here—
          I did promise myself the pleasure of passing one evening at lest before the seting in of winter—but begin now to doubt whither it will be in my power—
          Mr Warren unites in respectful Compliments to the vice president and to Yourself: with Your assured / frend & Humble servant

            Mercy Warren

            my daughter sets by and desires her most respectful regards as would the lovely little Marcia otis was she awake


Title: Charles Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 November 1796
From: Adams, Charles
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dear Mama
            New York Novr 16. 1796

          I have received your two last letters that by Mr Bracket accompanied by the presents you were so kind to make us. The fruit though

it had a very long passage is very fine there not being more than thirty unsound pairs in the whole barrel the cheese is also remarkably good and I think would deceive the most experienced Englishman—
          The anxiety respecting the event of the election is very great not that they suppose that Mr Jefferson will stand any chance for President but The Federal party are apprehensive that the Eastern States by voting unanimously for Pinckney; should South Carolina split between the two candidates for the Presidency, may give a majority when no one intended it should be had. such are the apprehensions which must be excited at every election while that unfortunate part of our Constitution remains.
          The friends of Mr Jefferson deal much in declamation and extravagant calculations they count six votes East of New York towit four from Massachusetts two from New Hampshire one half from Maryland the whole from Virginia Kentucky Tenessee Pennsylvania North Carolina South Carolina and Georgia by which said hopeful calculation wants nothing but accuracy to secure them their object. Mr Gerry say they will certainly give his vote for Jefferson. He must be very much changed if he does not say I! They were highly delighted when they hear Govr Adams was candidate for Elector No one said they can stand against him they were rubbing their hands and counting his vote as sure when lo!! the Boston Centinel arrived yesterday and baffled all their hopes. I sent the letter of my Eldelst Brother to the Governor I shall probably hear his remarks on it as I dine there today This I will say of it that it contains more sense than all the logic of all the Jacobins in the world Heaven preserve us from French influence and the tender mercies of their fraternal embraces is the sincere prayer of your affectionate son

            Chas Adams.

            Mrs Adams and your little Susan are both very well


Title: Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 25 November 1796
From: Johnson, Louisa Catherine
To: Adams, John Quincy

            London Novbr 25 1796

          I have within the last sad hour recieved your affectionate though painful letter of the 12 which caused me more uneasiness than I am capable of expressing; indeed I know not how I shall answer it— Ah my beloved friend how shall I acquire fortitude to bear my present disappointment— You have it is true kindly endeavoured to heal the wound so reluctantly given, but in vain each endearing line instead

of mitigating the anguish of my mind tends but to probe it more deeply— But why do I so cruelly add to your affliction; forgive me my friend, I will try to conquer unavailing sorrow, and if possible prevail on reason to usurp her right, which though unable fully to satisfy the heart will I trust contribute to silence its complaints—
          Willingly would I acquiesce in every thing you recommend yet am I inclined to believe even you in this instance find theory easier than practice—
          In a former letter you recommended me to be prepared for a sudden departure—with what pleasure did I immediately set about the delightful employment, and had completed it to the most minute article— But a truce with complaints—
          Write me again soon and be assured that I have already surmounted every aversion to writing and hope to prove by a frequent and interested correspondence the invariable affection of,

            Louisa C. Johnson—


Title: Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 26 November 1796
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John

              My dear Sir.
              The Hague 26th: November 1796.

            Two days since I had the pleasure to receive your kind favors of the 9th: June and 8th: of August, which came by the way of England with one of the 16th: August from my mother. I find by these, that my letter’s to you and my mother of the last of June, had not then been received, but they must have come to hand soon after, as I have an answer to a letter, which I wrote my brother at NewYork, and which went by the same vessel that carried yours. It seems to me, that a singular fatality attends the passage of my letters, for they are usually three of four months in reaching their destination, and the acknowledgments of them, nearly as long in return. It gives me pain that the solicitude of my parents on account of my health, should have been so long continued, because I am persuaded that their apprehensions must have increased and magnified in proportion to the length of time which elapsed after my illness was known until the assurance of my recovery was received. I will not undertake to express the gratitude I feel for their tender sympathy; it serves to enhance the value of such friends in my esteem, and if I know my own heart, the impression it has made can never be

effaced. Such affection can only be recompensed by the constant endeavors of the object upon whom it is bestowed to merit its continuance.
            Your letters have a further claim to my thanks, by the style of partiality which prevails in them, when you notice my communications. I can only hope that the judgment which pronounces upon their merit may not inspire the author, with notions too favorable to his own productions. Without proper deductions however, this might possibly be the case; but my innate veneration for that judgment, suggests the share of allowance which must be made, when it is exercised in a cause to which myself am party.

              December 12th:

            It seldom happens that I can begin and finish a letter of my own at one sitting; official business often intervenes and supercedes of course all attention to private exercises. This will partly account for the interval which has elapsed since the first date of this letter, in addition to which I have passed nearly a week at Amsterdam with my Brother where his business called him, and where he still is.
            On our way to Amsterdam we spent a few hours with Mr: Luzac at Leyden, who received us with great kindness & hospitality. We found him occupied with his usual labor as Superintendant of the Gazette, which comes from the press of his Brother, and which amidst all the variety of changes & revolutions, that have agitated Europe for seven years past, still preserves its character for accuracy & authenticity, and maintains its rank as the most classical periodical production of the present century.— In a former letter I mentioned to you the harsh treatment, which Mr: L—— had received from the late States of Holland, at the instigation of the French Directory. It was true as I stated, that he was prohibited from having any share in the management of the Gazette, during the exercise of his Professorship in the University, but after that Office was taken from him, he was at liberty to resume the humbler, though perhaps not less useful task of an Editor.
            The conversation, which we had with Mr: L—— was unrestrained, and to me it was instructive. I admired his fluency and the accuracy of his expression, which had it been employed in delivering a lecture to his pupils, could not have required a greater precision of style. He spoke much of America, enquired the state of our affairs, and seemed to take much interest in the details of our Government, which he has not hesitated to tell the public very lately, he considers

to be the best modeled & most wisely administred of all the establishments or civil associations known at this day. It will not be difficult for you to conceive, why this eulogium should appear at this particular conjuncture, nor will it surprise you to hear that to numbers in France and this Country such an encomium is peculiarly obnoxious. To such as esteem unity and indivisibility to be the first requisites of a prefect Government, a recommendation of the American system is little less than Treason, or at lowest an high misdemeanor contra maiestatem populi. To such however whose opinions of Federalism are not of the present day’s growth, who have not been terrified or disgusted at the name, notwithstanding the hard & opprobrious terms which have been lavished upon it, to such as are free to think and will think freely, the Constitution under which our Country is now governed, is still held in repute. This class of people is more numerous than is generally supposed, especially in this Country. It is not possible for men to renounce their habits of thought and action, with the same facility as they would put off an old garment, but the doctrine of Revolution and the Apostles who preach it are far from recognizing the existence of any such difficulty. To them every thing is possible that power & force can effect, and it imports them little, by what title such a power is held.
            It may be noticed as a proof of the attachment, which still prevails in this Country towards a confederate Republic, that a majority of the Constitutional Committee, were in favor of retaining that form, in preference to that of unity, which is so powerfully recommended by their Allies the French, and the Constitution was thus reported. It was made a question during several days in the National Assembly, whether the plan reported was worthy of being deliberated upon, or discussed before that body. The members from the province of Holland were unanimously opposed to it, but their numbers did not equal the remainder, who voted in its favor, and accordingly it was decided to be a subject of deliberation. But a pretext was soon raised for appointing a new Committee of ten persons, to prepare a kind of Supplimentary plan, which is to make some arrangements with regard to the finances of the Country, which are said not to be sufficiently provided for in the first. But a short time is allowed to this Committee for the accomplishment of their labor, and the Constitution is to be held in advice until that shall be completed.
            It affords the highest satisfaction to learn from your letters, that public affairs have assumed an appearance of durable tranquility

and a more rational complexion than they had previously borne. All eyes in Europe are turned upon the new-world; To most of the Governments on this side of the water, our’s is an object of equal admiration & envy. If to the wisdom and uprightness which have characterised the administration of our affairs hitherto, should be added an unshaken perseverance in the same system, we shall gradually confirm the operation of the former of these passions, but without diminishing the latter. Should we commit errors therefore, it is easy to predict the degree of satisfaction which numbers would derive from them.
            The address of the President of the United States to the people of America has been read with avidity here. Many of its sentiments are [too] deeply founded in truth & too forcibly applicable in this Country to be relished; but it has made great impression upon the minds of many people, and will not be less celebrated wherever it is known than was the address of General Washington to the American Army. I enclose to you several of the last Leyden Gazettes, which contain the current news, and in which you will observe a faithful translation of the address; you will not be at a loss to conjecture, at whose instigation it is published. Several Paris papers have given a partial & mutilated sketch of it, which renders more important its appearance in a true shape. As I am in the habit of sending the Gazettes to my Brother at Newyork, I must beg that after you have done with them, you will take the trouble to transmit them to him.
            Please Sir, to present me kindly to all my Philadelphia friends, and chiefest to my Master Ingersoll, and believe me to be with perfect attachment & respect / Your Son

              Thomas B Adams.


Title: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1796
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John

            my Dearest Friend
            Quincy Novbr 27 1796 Sunday Eve

          Winter has caught you on the Road I presume, for a colder Day than this we seldom have in Jan’ry You will want to hear how the Farming goes on. the Letters inclosed which I received last evening have put it all out of my Head, and almost put out My Eyes to read. no other than the printed Duplicate has come to Hand. I send you both yours and mine, both of which are important at this time when the plots are unfolding. they are a clue to all the whole System of Electionering under foreign influence which in a greater or less degree pervades every state in the union. they will afford but Sorry comfort to You whether destined to publick or Private Life. if to Private, “O! Save my Country Heaven” if we are to receive a President from the French Nation, what is to be our Fate?. to accept the Presidency with Such an opposition, & to know that one is rushing upon the thick bosses of the Bucklar requires the firmest mind and the greatest intripidity. Heaven direct all for the best
          you will See by the Centinal that poor samuel has no opinion of his own. the House and Senate have however been firm. inclosed is a curious extract from the Washington Gazzett taken from a paper calld the new world.
          I presume the Fate of America will be decided by the time I get a Letter from You. we are told here that under the Jeffersonian ticket the voters distinguishd themselves by wearing the National cockade. can they have become so openly Dairing and bold? I saw Burks paper calld the Star. it ought to be termd the Chronical Rival, a Hireling wretch, in French pay I Doubt not, a whineing & canting because the French Minister has suspended his functions Our sons Letter is a key to the whole buisness. I have worn out my Eyes to Day in coppying it;
          The Wall progresses, and the Barn yard has not been neglected.

the rails are all brought home and I am reflecting that there is no small probability that you may spend the next Summer at Home. I hope Peace Feild will not suffer a French invasion. I am not however terified. I say Gods will be Done, and hope we are not yet given up to destruction.
          adieu let Me hear often from you. you know how anxious I am at the events passing before me. poor Johns pride was a little touchd that you should name cooper as a rival in Fame. where will you find a Man of his Age of his Prudence judgment discernment and abilities?
          My best my Sincerely affectionate Regards to the President and Mrs Washington if any people on earth are to be envyd they are the ones: not for what they have been in power and Authority, but for their transit.
          once more adieu / ever ever yours

            A Adams.


Title: Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 November 1796
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John Quincy

            My Dear Son
            Quincy Novbr 28th 1796

          William Shaw came from Boston last Evening to keep Sabbeth with me and brought me your Letter of August 16. 1796 which came by way of N York, and one for your Father of 13th. he Sat out for Philadelphia on the 23 of this Month. I forwarded it to him this morning. it was the Duplicate which first came to hand, and tho it almost put out my Eyes to read it, I did, and made a coppy of it before I Sent it on. the contents appeard of so much importance that I thought it might safely be communicated to some persons in confidence for most assuredly your intelligence is well founded. the baneful influence of French principles has infected every part of the union in a greater or less degree. As the Time approachd for the choice of Electors the opperations began. in the first instance a blind order of the Directory for seazing Neutral vessels & treating them as the English had Done was publishd, as a Vague report. then followd a Letter of mr Kings in which it was said that he applid to

mr Munroe upon the Subject and that he assurd him no such order had been issued the week before the choice of Electors came on and immediatly after Adets return to Philadelphia, his Letter appeard in the Paper Adet came on to Boston in the Month of october. Burr came about the same Time and was constantly closseted with Jarvis Honestus & Eustis and the plan was laid by Burr it is said of putting up G Adams as an Elector. the result you know doubt will learn before this reaches you Your Friend otis was chosen as Rep by a Great Majority, and col Daws as an Elector. not more than half the Electors were Chosen by the people, but to their honour be it told, no antifeaderal Man was even voted for by them except in the instance of Adams. you will see how misarable the old Man is led by the Party in his speach to the two Houses he just barely tells them that they were calld together for the purpose of Chusing Electors not a word of the Presidents Resignation not one solitary word of approbation upon the administration of that Great and good Man Both Houses in their answer are full in their approbation & in their expressions of Love and respect towards him. the House voted to have the Presidents address inserted in their journals so have N York. The Senate & House passt an act empowering the Electors, in case any one by Death or sickness should be prevented attending, then the Electors to ballot for an Elector. the Bill was sent to the G. he signd it, and it past into a Law, but some of his Prime Ministers I suppose told him he had Done wrong, and lost the last Chance he had of preventing a full vote of the State. he was prevaild upon to go and erase his Name from the act. every undue influence has been practised in this Election. The Bribes and intrigues of a Foreign Nation to gains an assendency over our Executive, have much earlier than your Father was aware of proved the truth of his assertions, when he observes in his Defence, That there is a natural and unchangeable inconvenience in all Popular Elections. There are always competitions, and the candidates have often Merrits nearly equal. The Virtuous and independent electors are often divided: this Naturally causes too much attention to the most Profligate and unprincipled, who will sell or give a way their votes for other considerations than Wisdom and Virtue, so that he who has deepest purse or the fewest Scruples about useing it will generally prevail. What would have been our Situation if we had been governd by a Single assembly? When Balanced as our Government is, the progress of corruption is gaining Such ground, that I fear America will never go

through an other Election without Blood shed. we have had a paper War for six weeks past, and if the Candidates had not themselves been intirely passive, Rage and Voilence would have thrown the whole Country into a Flame. you will see by the canvass for Electors in Pensilvana that the State have been nearly equally divided between two Candidates. before I close this Letter it is probable the result of Several of the States will be known. at no period has our National interest been in a more Dangerous, or difficult situation than the present. the Struggles of party and faction run very high. Your Letter to your Father discovers fully all the opperations which are daily unfolding, themselves, and they hold up Dangers and Terrors enough to appall any Man, who has not been accustomed to consider Life & property & what is still Dearer Reputation & Character a Sacrifice Due to His Country
          “Fear takes no hold of me, and makes no approaches to Me that I perceive, and if my Country makes just claims upon me I will be, as I ever have been prompt to share Fates & Fortunes with her”
          This is the language of Your Father, in a Letter of 27th just received, from him, after as he says the reading of Adets Note. if he adds, I have lookd with any accuracy into the Hearts of my Fellow Citizens, The French will find as the English have found That Feelings May be stirred which they never expected to find there. Since the Discovery of Fauchetts Letter and Randolphs treachery, the people are more on their Gaurd, and watchfull of the Agents of that Nation.
          And now My Dear Son I quit the Feild of politicks to talk to you of your private Concerns. I am not So contracted in my sentiments as to imagine that you may not have found a kindred Soul out of your own Country. assimilate it to your own, borrow from it all those qualities of energy & activity which may require a stimulous in Your composition, and impart to hers firmness and fortitude which are qualities Youth is least likely to possess and which it is probable her connection with you in the publick Character you sustain she will have more than an ordinary call for, when we take into view her early Seperation from her Parents & country, in concequence of her connextion. tell her that Your Mother has for 30 years been tried worn and innured to Seperations which have torn every fiber of her Heart, under circumstances the most perilious to those She held most Dear. She has been supported through them
          May you render each other mutually happy and after having Served Your Country with honour and Reputation a broad, may you be

rewarded with peace & tranquility on Your return to your Native Land and enjoy the confidence You have already merritted.
          When your Father wrote you, the Letter of June 10th the circumstance of your appointment was altogether unknown to him, for he has ever Done by his Children as by himself. he never askd or solisited of any Man Vote or office for himself or them. What ever he has possessd of honours or offices have been the free will Gift of his Country
          Your Friend otis is brought forward as a Representitive to Congress. he very deservedly shares the confidence of his constituents. his conduct on all those occasions wherein he has been calld to act, has been Manly firm & consistant. you justly observe that he may be considerd as a fellow Labourer with you in the Good cause. as to Cooper it is not very likly that he will ever rise higher than a Representitive of the Town of Boston I presume, the Meaning of your Father was, that the Services of a foreign Minister were very little known and attended to by the Country in general. those only in the administration of Government knew his Merrits or Demerrits, particularly in times of tranquility, and according to the old adage out of Sight, out of Mind. as it personaly respects You, Your Services have been Duly appreciated, and I rejoice much more in your promotion by the Father of His Country than if you had received it from any other Hand. it must however enhance the value, to know that the Senate were unanimous.
          by a Letter this moment received from your Father at N york—He says mr Jay and I met last Evening on our anniversary 30th Novbr & were very happy together
          He observes The French Minister is fullfilling your Sons Predictions, with astonishing exactness but it appears to me that Adet has shewn the Cloven foot so fare that all Eyes must decern it. The Partizens and Ignorant Jacobins boldly say as a threat, if the vice President is made President France will go to War with us! Heavens shall any Nation thus dictate to independant America! What would they say should Britain hold this Language? Here I am again in the midst of politicks when I meant to have quitted them
          Your Father writes that Your sister and Family were well. they are gone to live at West Chester. Charles increases in buisness and in reputation. His Sally makes him a prudent & good wife they have a Daughter whom out of respect to your venerable Grandmother they have calld Sussanna Boylstone. the Good old Lady always inquires most tenderly after you & Thomas and yesterday past the Day with

me & gave me in Charge to transmit her Blessing to you both and to tell you that She Sincerely wisht you & yours all Prosperity and happiness
          I have one request to make you if this reaches you before you leave England. desire Louissa to Set for her Miniature. let it be of the same size with that which you sent me of yours, & send it me with her Hair upon the reverse. in return if I can find a good Artist I will send Her your Fathers and mine. present me respectfully to Mr & Mrs Johnson, and tell Louissa she must write to her and your affectionate Mother

            A Adams


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 4 December 1796
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dearest Friend
            Philadelphia December 4. 1796

          After Spending a Day and a Night at East Chester with our Children there and another at Newyork with our Children there I came to this City on Fryday night after a cold ride of 80 miles from Elizabeth Town. There are great Complaints of Want of Water for grinding, for Cattle and for Families through the whole Country.
          Yesterday I dined with the President in Company with John Watts the King of the Cherokees with a large Number of his Chiefs and their Wives—among the rest the Widow and Children of Hanging Maw a famous Friend of ours who was basely murdered by Some White People. The President dined four Setts of Indians on four several Days the last Week.
          The French Manoeuvres have gained the Votes of Pensilvania and how many others is unknown. The Election will be a meagre one and I shall not envy it.
          I shewed the Letters of Mr J. Q. A. to the President who told me that Things appeared to him exactly as they did to his Minister. To Day he has Sent me a Letter to him from Mr T. Paine dated at Paris 20 of September 1795 which he Said was the most insulting Letter he ever recd.
          Paine accuses the President of Connivance at his Imprisonment in France thinks he ought to have interposed in his behalf and reclaim’d him.
          “I ought not to have Suspected you of Treachery, but I must continue to think you treacherous, till you give me cause to think otherwise. I am Sure you would have found yourself more at your Ease,

if you had acted by me as you ought, for whether your Desertion of me was intended to gratify the English Government, or to let me fall into Destruction in France, that you might exclaim the louder against the French Revolution, or whether you hoped by my Extinction to meet with less opposition in mounting up the American Government, either of these will involve you in Reproach you will not easily shake off.” These are his Words.
          I am told that Mr Pride of Virginia who had the Duel with Mr Carpenter in England went over to France and has return’d to America and brought Packetts and Letters for Mr Jefferson Mr Madison, Mr Giles & Mr Bache, as well as for the Sec. of State.
          Mr Paines long threatned Pamphlet against the President it is Supposed is Arrived and Mr Bache is to publish it, in the form of a Letter to George Washington. It is even Said that a Patent is to be obtained for the exclusive Priviledge of publishing it.
          Whether the French Directory have only been drawn in, to favour the Election of a Favourite, or whether in their Trances and Deliriums of Victory they think to terrify America, or whether in their Sallies they may not venture on Hostilities time will discover. Americans must, be cool and Steady if they can. Some of our People may be cured or their extravagant Love, and shaken in their unlimited Confidence. The French Character whether under Monarchical or Republican Government is not the most equitable, nor the least assuring of all Nations. The Fire, Impetuosity, and Vehemence of their Temperament is apt to be violent, immoderate and extravagant. The Passions are always outragious. A Frenchman in Love, must shoot himself or succeed— A Frenchman in Anger must shed the Blood of his Object, and so of the rest.
          I hope We shall make two Houses tomorrow.
          My Duty to my Mother and Love to all

            J. A


Title: John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 December 1796
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

            My dear Son
            Philadelphia Decr. 5. 1796

          As I came through New York, where I found your Sister and your Brother and their families in good health I recd your Letter No. 24. and upon my arrival here, presented it to The President together with the preceeding Numbers to 19 inclusively. I dined with him on Saturday when he returned me the Letters, with an Eulogium. He Said that “Things appeared to him exactly as they do to your son”
          Your Intelligence is good, and your Prophesies ominous if not infallible. The Plott has opened here with a Note of a Volume from Mr Adet. I Shall make few Observations upon this. But I believe my Countrymen will assert and maintain their Independence. We are not generally intimidated, although it is said that a considerable Body of Quakers were Panick Struck at the Election and abandoned their Colours. The Laurells acquired by this System of Terror, are a Majority of from 20 to 100 Votes in favr of a certain Ticket, made up of the lowest dreggs of the Mob of Philadelphia and the Inhabitants of the Insurgent Western Counties of Pensilvania, against the almost unanimous suffrages of the great farming Counties of York & Lancaster. The Day after tomorrow is the great Election. I look upon the Event as the throw of a Die, a mere Chance, a miserable meagre Tryumph to either Party.
          If Mr Jefferson is chosen he cannot depart from the system of Washington which is the system of all that is respectable in this

Country. I hope the Directory of France will not in a fit of Exultation & Temerity push matters to extremes. if they do they will excite Feelings in this People, which they suspect not. Mr Adets Note has proved an Antidote to the violence of their Passion to many of the most ardent Lovers of France. It will cool Us. it is a febrifuge. an AntiSeptick. it will arrest the rapid progress to Corruption in many.
          It is our Sincere and universal desire to live on Terms of Harmony and Friendship with The French. If We do not it will not be our fault. But We are not afraid of France. All the Ships she can command or hire, cannot send an Army here that would not Soon decay. I dont love to think a moment of such a Case— But if they force Us to think of it, our Imaginations must range. Do you my son, reflect on the Consequences of a War forced upon Us by France. as it respects Spain, Portugal Holland Italy Germany All Europe, England her Commerce Navy &c. One Consequence I will mention— There will be Tories to fly to France, as there were Tories to fly to England— she will Scarcely compensate them at the Expence of Millions. French Tories will not be venerated in the World much more than the English Tories have been.
          I shall answer my dear Thomas’s Letter as soon as I can.
          I am &c with great Esteem as well as / a tender Affection

            John Adams


Title: John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 5 December 1796
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Johnson, Louisa Catherine

              Amsterdam December 5. 1796.

            I have just now received, my dearest friend, your letter of the 15th: of last month, since which I hope you have before now received two from me; and would to Heaven, they could have been such as would have been more conformable to our mutual inclinations, or that I could now give you tidings more agreeable for me to communicate or for you to receive.— Instead of which a Letter from America, which has this morning come to me, and dated on the 28th: of September, still enjoins upon me to remain [here and] makes it probable that I shall not remove, at least for several months to come. [. . . .] America, that I must hope for the completion of that union which we both [. . . .] wish, and I confidently hope that a greater distance and a longer time of separation, than we had contemplated, will have no more effect upon your affection, than I am sure it will upon mine.— Let us consider it as one of those counterchecks in the affairs of life, which happen to all, which all must endure whether they will or not, and in which acquiescence is at once a necessity and a consolation.— Be assured at the same time, my lovely friend, that no length of time nor of space, can have access to the heart of the man you love, to weaken his attachment to you.
            I have hitherto given you with freedom and sincerity my sentiments, with regard to our common interests and concerns. I have never believed that you would take in ill part what was so well intended, and what I should be so happy to receive in return from you. Between you and me, Louisa, an intercourse of advice and reflection founded upon a mutual unsuspecting confidence is not merely proper; it is in my mind a reciprocal duty. Your assurance therefore that you value the observations I have made gives me the most heart-felt satisfaction, and be assured that I shall always highly value yours.
            I have been absent about a week from the Hague, on a visit to this place, and expect to return to-morrow. Wherever I go, your

image keeps me constant company, and every where, I feel the same vacancy for want of the reality. I never was much delighted with what are called the pleasures of Society, but at present they have less attractions for me than ever: I participate in them therefore only so far as I find it absolutely necessary, and make myself as often as possible a solitude, to enjoy at least, undisturbed the remembrance of you.
            I have lately seen here Mr: Calhoun, the Gentleman with the fine teeth, whom I met at your house last Winter, when your friend Mr: Maury was there. Mr: Calhoun has since then been to America, and has very lately returned. He is going in a few days to London, where he will no doubt have the happiness to see you.— It seems to me that every person with whom I have been in company when you were present, derives from thence a sort of merit, in my eyes when I meet him now. There is a kind of reflected cha[rm over ev]ery object that naturally brings your recollection to the mind. I remember still [. . . .] pleasure I saw two or three months ago, my old friend, Mr: Foster, on this account among [. . . .] suppose you have seen him since his return to England.— How is your good friend and mine, Coll: Trumbull?— I suppose you will smile at seeing his name here.— He would smile too if he knew how I once, as Yorick says thought him a Turk or a Jew—Curs’d him by my Gods—Wish’d him at the D—— innocent as he was of all I feared; but his Peace with me has long been made, and is in no danger of being ever interrupted again.
            The Weather is shivering cold, and the wind reminds me of the times when we used to walk round or across the park: this brings me to the remembrance of our rides there, and this again to Caroline. Why to her particularly, you say?— She will know, if her memory is as good as her Spirits. I am thinking of making up a little collection of fine large-sounding guttural Dutch adjurations for her use, to improve upon her English stock. I cannot promise so good a store of puns for Nancy.— Your Dutch language is good for nothing at a pun. Two senses to the same word would be a kind of prodigality, and if you should hear it talk’d you would think one is more than enough.

              December 7.

            I finish my letter at the Hague, where I returned yesterday through a number of snow-storms. We have already had more Winter than there was in the whole course of the last Season.— Remember me

affectionately to your Mamma and Sisters, and believe me to be, invariably your’s

              A.


Title: Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 6 December 1796
From: Johnson, Louisa Catherine
To: Adams, John Quincy

            London Decbr: 6th 1796

          Agreable to my promise of the 29th of writing to my beloved friend once a week I now contrary to etiquette enter upon the pleasant occupation—
          Surely you will acknowledge—when I tell you you are indebted to me four letters I have amply compensated for my former omission— I have vainly expected to hear from you but the winds are unfavorable in a word every thing seems to conspire— I will only say to teach me patience
          There are I find two Mails due Oh may they prove auspicious to my wishes in bringing me letters—
          I will not mention the subject which has caused our mutual uneasiness lest it give you pain— I have promised to exert fortitude and will endeavour to fulfill that promise reason tells me I shall at least acquire resignation if not happiness—
          Never my beloved friend let my weakness lessen your affection for

me but write to me constantly and if possible teach my rebellious heart gently to acquiesce without murmering— Adieu think of me often and believe me with unalterable affection yours

            Louisa C Johnson


Title: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 7 December 1796
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John

            Quincy December 7th 1796

            “The Morning lours, the Dawns oer cast
            And heavily in clouds brings on the Day
            Big with the fate of Liberty, and Man”

          on the desicions of this Day, hangs perhaps the Destiny of America, and May those into whose hands the Sacred Deposit is committed be guided and directed by that Wisdom which is from above, and the result prove the prosperity Peace and happiness of our Country. this is My most fervent Wish & petition to Heaven, totally divested of every personal feeling and sentiment.
          I have twice written to you previous to this Day Which compleats a fortnight since You left me, and in all which Time I have not heard a word from You. I hope tomorrows post will bring me a Letter. We have had one continued turn of cold and dry weather, untill last Evening when the wind blew a Gale from the Southard & brought on rain. to Day it is very Stormy with snow hail & rain.
          I Sent on our sons Letters in My first Letter. I want to know who is meant by the Pennsilvana Speculator the Intimate Friend of Munroe.? Who was Secretary to the abolition Society in Philadelphia? be so good as to send me the Secretary answer to Adet as Soon as publishd, and every Pamphlet You meet with, worth communicating to your ever affectionate

            A Adams—


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 December 1796
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

            My Dearest Friend
            Philadelphia Decr 7. 1796

          I have recd your Letter of the cold Sunday on which I wrote you one from Stratford. In N. York Charles gave me the original Letter, the Duplicate of which you transmitted me. I communicated it to the P. with five preceeding Numbers. After reading them The P. was pleased to say that “Mr Adams’s Intelligence was very good, and his Penetration and foresight very great. At least Things appeared to him in Europe exactly as they did to himself here.” He communicated to me T. Paines impudent Letter.
          This is the very Day the which.— I laugh at myself twenty times a Day, for my feelings, and meditations & Speculations in which I find myself engaged. Vanity Suffers. cold feelings of Unpopularity. Humble reflections. Mortifications—Humiliation.— Plans of future Life. Economy. retrenching of Expences. Farming. Return to the Bar. drawing Writs, arguing Causes. taking Clerks. Humiliations of my Country under foreign Bribes. Measures to counteract them. All this miserable Nonsense will come & go like evil into the Thoughts of Gods or Men, approved or unapproved.
          Cousin Smith is Said to have written Phocian and Murray the Pieces from Maryland. The Election is a Lott at this hour and if my Reason were to dictate I should wish to be left out. A. P. with half the Continent upon his Back besides all France & England old Tories and all Jacobins to carry will have a devilish Load. He will be very apt to Stagger & stumble
          If the Southern states are as unanimous as the Northern are supposed to be I shall be left out. But it is Said there will be 3 in Virginia & one in N. Carolina against Jefferson. In Pensilvania the Rebells in the West and the corupt Mob of Philadelphia aided by frightened Quakers gave a Majority of from 20 to 100, against the great Agricultural Counties of Lancaster York & Cuberland.

          It really Seems to me as if I wished to be left out. Let me See! do I know my own heart? I am not Sure. However all that I seem to dread, is a foolish, mortifying, humiliating, uncomfortable Residence here, for two tedious months after I shall be known to be Shimmed, as my Wallmen Speak.
          I can pronounce Thomas Jefferson to be chosen P. of U. S. with firmness & a good grace. that I dont fear.— But here alone abed, by my fireside nobody to Speak to, poreing upon my Disgrace and future Prospects—this is Ugly. The 16 of Feb. will soon come and then I take my Leave, forever. Then for Frugality and Independence.— Poverty and Patriotism. Love and a Carrot bed.
          Duty to My Mother & Love to all

            J. A

            The Federalists are all very confident however of a small Majority. I say and believe that small Majority worse than none. & wish there could have been a large Majority any other Way.
            dont show this stuff.


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 December 1796
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

            My Dearest Friend
            Philadelphia Decr 8 1796

          Inclosed are Some Signal Accomplishments of Prophecies.
          Be cool and discreet in your Communications of them.
          No Such Person as Jasper Dwight is known to either of the Senators of Vermont. The Signature is thought to be fictitious.
          I have no Letter from you later than the Sunday after my Departure.
          Major Butler has indeed resign’d.
          They kept back Paines Letter Several Weeks, presuming no doubt that it would not promote their Election. It appeared for the first, this morning.
          I think, of all Paines Productions it is the weakest and at the Sametime the most malicious.— The Man appears to me to be mad—not drunk— He has the Vanity of the Lunatick who believed himself to be Jupiter the Father of Gods & Men.
          There is a Dr Edwards here—a Relation of Mr Burr & Pierpoint Edwards who has lately return’d from Paris.— Perhaps he may be the Pensilvanian of whom you read.
          I can Say nothing of Election. I have recd to Day the Votes of New Jersey but know not for whom they are, as they are under Seal.
          I am

            J. A.

            The Feelings of Friendship excite a Curiosity to know how McKean will vote. By that I shall guess how Gov. Adams would have voted.
            But I have Seen Friendships of S. Quincy Jona Sewall, Daniel Leonard—Gen. Brattle—Treasurer Grey and fifty others go away like a vapour before political Winds—and a constant Succession of Others go the same Way from that time to this, that I cannot depend upon any Judgment I can form from any Feelings of my own. No private Friendship would induce me to Spare a wrong Political Character. But McKean & Adams can never believe the Lies that are told. If they could vote against me it must be because they think I should not be Supple enough to the French.— I have known the Time when both of them would have been as Stiff as myself.
            I feel myself in a very happy temper of Mind— Perfectly willing to be released from the Post of Danger but determined if call’d to it, to brave it, if its horrors were ten times thicker than they are. I have but few Years of Life left and they cannot be better bestowed, than

upon that Independence of my Country in Defence of which that Life has ever been in Jeopardy.


Title: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 9 December 1796
From: Adams, Abigail
To: Adams, John

            My Dearest Friend
            Quincy December 9th 1796

          Captain Beal who is always attentive to the post office for me in your absence, brought Me on the Evening of the Seventh your Letter written at Stratford Novbr 27th, which is the only line which has yet reachd me; I fear you sufferd from the cold on the journey, for it has been unusually so, for the Season. the continuence of it, has frozen the Ground very deep. I fear we shall not be able to have our Hill ploughd this Winter. our people get Seaweed and wood. Vesey will remain with me only untill the last of Feb’ry. mr Bass is gone to capt Beals for Six Months. very fortunately there was an opening for him there, Tim having left them.
          I am of your mind, that prices must fall Genll Lincoln who dinned with Me with his Daughter Polly otis Lincoln last Saturday, on their return from Boston, told me he had not heard such a cry for money,

amongst the merchants for a long time, that he thought there must be some failures. He mentiond having lately made a purchase in Hingham accidently at a vendue, of a House Barns out houses &c said he had no thoughts of its being Struck off to him, but that it would prevent his building, which he was about to Do for his Daughter in Law who was with him— the House & place he purchased was the one next to that of Dr Herseys & was formerly own’d by the Drs Brother, a Double House lately put in good repair with two Barns one quite new & an excellent Garden full of fruit Trees with Eleven acres of Land for four Hundred & 50 pounds. he observed that he could not build the House for that Money.
          The Electors all arrived in Boston the Day before the Election and met, in the Eve their great difficulty was respecting a Vice President. they could not agree untill near Evening on the 7th you will see they were unanimous for President, 13. for Princkny 2 for Gov Johnstone of N C, 1 for Mr Elsworth. I am very glad that they were all in season, as it removes one Source of clamour, & the G——r might as well have let his Name have stood, as recorded his own imbecility by erasing it. we are told that the votes of Vermont will not be legal. we had the Same report respecting Georgia. I cannot believe untill I see it that the old Chief Justice will give his vote against you. I yesterday had the Washington paper of Novbr 16th there is a peice in it, dated Virginna addrest to the Electors of that state. it is a recital of the services you have been rendering Your Country for 30 years back. it is written with a warmth a zeal and an affectionate remembrance of them, beyond any other publication which I have seen.
          Beals says that Adets Note Does not make any great impression in Boston, that it is considerd as a mere Electionering Scheme. there is however mischief enough in it. I believe this as critical a juncture as any our Country has seen. John Bull will have enough to Do, to take care of his own Calves. he may make Love to us, but we know what value to place upon it. we understand matchs of convenience as well as Adets Chrocodile tricks. with England the questions

            To Be, or not to Be?

          is a very Solemn one, and Parson West will be looking for the completition of the Prophesy according to his interpretation. If a very Serious allam, had not taken place, a Mission of so much pomp would never have been addrest to the Directory.
          I have not yet, a Letter from N york. I hope you will give me some

infomation respecting mrs smith and Family as I have not had a line from her for a long time.
          Mrs Brisler and Family were well yesterday.
          Yours as ever

            Abigail Adams


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 December 1796
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

            My Dearest Friend
            Philadelphia Decr. 12. 1796

          I have just recd your favr. of the 4th. I wrote you from stratford New York and from Philadelphia.
          Adets Note has had some Effect Pensilvania and prov’d a Terror to some Quakers and that is all the ill Effect it has had. Even the southern States appear to resent it.
          If Col Hamiltons personal Dislike of Jefferson does not obtain too much Influence with Massachusetts Electors, neither Jefferson will be President nor Pinckney V. P. of U.S.—
          I am not enough of an Englishman nor little enough of a French Man for some People. These would be very willing that Pinckney should come in, Chief. But they will be disappointed.
          The Letter you Sent me has been read by many and is admired by all. it is impossible it should be otherwise. Hichbourn held the Same Language here.
          I find nobody here intimidated. Those who wish to Say they are dare not. There is a grand Spirit in the Senate.

          Giles Says “the Point is settled.— The V. P. will be President. He is undoubtedly chosen. The old Man will make a good President too. (theres for you). But We shall have to check him a little now and then. that will be all.”
          Thus Mr Giles.
          I am just now come from pronouncing a most affectionate Address of the senate to the President in Answer to his Speech. I felt so much that I was afraid I should cry betray a Weakness. but I did not. I thought I was very firm & cool— But the senators say that I pronounced it in so affecting a manner that I made them cry.— The Tears did certainly trickle. The President himself was affected more tenderly than ever I saw him in my Life in pronouncing his Reply.
          The southern Gentlemen with whom I have conversed, have expressed more Affection for me than they ever did before since 1774. They certainly wish Adams elected rather than Pinckney. perhaps it is because Hamilton and Jay are said to be for Pinckney.
          I had rather hazard my little Venture in the ship to the Pilotage of Jefferson, than that of Pinckney, or Burr.
          My old Friend Mc.Kean, had so often expressed his Friendship and Confidence in me, that his Conduct is much censured and ridiculed.
          Nothing affects me so much as to see McKean, Whitehill, Osgood and even Sam Adams and such Men sett up in opposition to me. It gives such a Specimen of Party Spirit as is very disgusting, very shocking.
          I am most tenderly yours

            J. A

            I remember the time, however, when the Friendship of Sam. Quincy, Jona. sewall Daniel Leonard, Col Brattle & Treasurer Gray and twenty others went away from me in Consequence of political systems & Party Spirit.
            I remember too an hundred other Instances during the Revolution and Since of declared Friendships giving Way before Jealousy, Envy and Competition or Rather Rivalry that these Things do not shock me as they would have done when I had less Experience.
            The Inveteracy of Party Spirit is however indeed alarming at present.
            There have been Manœuvres and Combinations in this Election that would Surprize you. I may one day or other develope them to you.
            There is an active Spirit, in the Union, who will fill it with his

Politicks wherever he is. He must be attended to and not Suffered to do too much.


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 December 1796
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dearest Friend
            Philadelphia Decr 18. 1796

          I went Yesterday at 12 O Clock to the Presbyterian Meeting House in Market Street to hear Dr Rush pronounce an elegant and pathetic Elogium on Mr Rittenhouse the late President of the

Philosophical society. He made him out to be a good Man and a great Astronomer & Philosopher. This I agree and if he had not betrayed Jacobinical Weaknesses I should have liked him very well.
          Dr Euwing is Sick & melancholly. has lost his Wifes fortune by trusting Speculators and has had recourse to imprudent means to raise his Spirits as they Say. He has done preaching for the present at least.
          It is now Said, but I have not made the Calculations, to be made certain that neither Mr Pinckney nor Mr Jefferson can be President: consequently my Troubles are not far off. Strong in the Confidence of my own Honesty, and favoured by the Appearance of tolerable health and the feeling of Some Strength, I perceive no Consternation at the Prospect.
          There have not been wanting Insinuations to make me believe that Hamilton and Jay have insidiously intrigued to give Pinckney a Sly slide over my head, and the southern Men Swear, if they had suspected this I should have had all their Votes. I do believe that both of them had rather Pinckney should come in P. than Jefferson be either P. or V. P.— one of them might believe he should have more Influence with Pinckney than with me— Both of them might think, that if I was out of the Way, one or other of them might have a better Chance to come in at next Election into one or the other Office. Both of them may have designs or desires of closer Connections with England than I should approve. But whatever cause for these Surmises may exist, they shall make no Impression on my Friendship for those Characters. I believe their Motives were what they recd for publick Good. Jay at least had probably no active share in the Business. H. certainly had.
          But I think it is now evident that the Southern States have had all these Contingencies in Contemplation and that they preferred me, in either office to Pinckney or Burr, and I am more indebted to the southern states for this Election than to Massachusetts, thirteen of whose Votes were determined I presume by Hamiltons Letters to Higginson, if not to Cabot, and who certainly were willing to sacrifice me, rather than that Jefferson should come in V. P.
          The common Saying here is that it is an Interposition of Providence that has saved me, defeated Pinckney, and disappointed the English Party as well as the French. The French however are deceived,—I am more their Friend than they are aware of.—
          I am much mistaken if I do not remove many Prejudices both at home & abroad before the fourth of March. There are manly Ways

of correcting Errors, that all Men dont perceive. These are confidential Communications from your ever affectionate

            J. A


Title: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1796
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, Abigail

            My dearest Friend
            Philadelphia Decr 19. 1796. Monday

          I have this morning yours of the 9th. Am glad you have mine from Stratford: you will receive others in Succession.
          I am not much chagrined at the disappointment of ploughing the Hill. The Spring will do. The more Seaweed is procured the better. I need not exhort you to get Wood. I am Glad Mr Bass is provided for. I wish you to expend as little as possible in Labour except for Seaweed and Sledding Stones across the Mill Pond if there should be opportunity, and for a fence against Jona. Bass.
          The general Delusion of Speculation has involved the great Chiefs. McClenichan is in Trouble his son Stewart left nothing Mr Morris Mr Nicholson Mr Wilson Mr Greenleaf Mr Barclay & many others are talked of as in Such distress as to Spread a general Consternation among the Merchants. I can never enough deplore the Delerium of plunging into Schemes of such vast magnitude and complication, living in Such Pomp and Such Expence upon Property of others—giving Charities, making feasts, Signing Subscriptions, blazing away with Furniture Equipage &c and then discovering that all this is Credit, and that Multitudes of honest People must be involved in distress in Consequence of it. I saw enough at East Chester— But I had long expected it. Where is the moral Principle?

where is the Modesty? of rolling in Luxury upon the Property of others? I fear that Dishonesty will appear as well as Distress. That large Sums in Trust, will be found misapplied. Trusts violated and prostituted. Give me Poverty give me Death rather than the Sting of remorse for violated Confidence.
          The Writers in the Chronicle, take great Pains to impute this Stagnation to the Government—But with great Injustice.— I fear it has arisen from a Defect of the Constitution, in not giving to Congress the exclusive Power of erecting and regulating Banks and limiting even their Power to a moderate sum: But I am cautious and fearful of explaining myself on this Subject.
          The Bank of Pensilvania has Spread an Alarm. I hope that all others will take Warning.
          I see that Hamilton is the Object of Chronicle wrath. But Hamilton did not establish the state Banks, and they have had their ful share in the Imprudence and the Mischief.
          Mr Bloodworth of N. Carolina Said to me this morning he could now congratulate me on the Certainty of my Election as President: But I make no Calculations, as far as I see it is still possible that Pinckney may be P.— Jefferson I think cannot. The Vermont votes are Safe enough. They are not liable to the objection apprehended.
          The Alarm which was Spread in Philadelphia & Pensilvania by Adets Note has Subsided. You will see that Congress is not intimidated. Though a Party in the H. is still too Strong. It is cruel that Mass. shd. increase this Party. Bill Lyman went all Lengths. Gen. Dearbourne & Coll Varnum Stop’d short.
          Mr A’s Letters are in high Reputation. I heard one of the Cabinet Say that Mr A’s Correspondence was the most Satisfactory of any of the Ministers abroad.— Many have read them and all admire them.
          But the Scæne which appears to have been played at the House and in the Suite of a foreign Minister at Paris is a Serious Thing— If our Ambassadors are to harbour the Destroyers of Religion and Government, where are We?
          If our Ambassadors abroad will not frown on Abuses of their Employers who will. Examples must and will be made.—
          I am, my dearest Friend, your ever affectionate

            J. A.