Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 9 June 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dearest friend.
Quincy 9. June 1804.

I have now received your favour of the 29th: of last month, enclosing a letter from your Mamma, for Mr: Murdoch, which I shall take care to forward, by the first vessel that will go from Boston to England.—
You had been so long without an attack of the spasms, that I had flattered myself they had taken their final leave—I grieve to hear of their return—Perhaps it may only be in consequence of the change in the whole nervous system, by weaning your child—As the fine Season is now in its glory, I hope you will not omit to take frequent exercise, and a change of air as often as you can—
As for George his age for mischief is now come, and we cannot expect he should be exempt from it more than others—Is there no such thing as a day school where he could be sent, and kept quiet?
Tis very unaccountable that the other young Gentleman should be so passionate as you tell me—for you know it could not come from either of his parents—Perhaps he derives it by transmission from some former generation—But upon further recollection and calling to mind what has happened to me this very week, I must confess that I can account for some degree of irritability in a child of mine, without going more than one step upwards to find its source.
I went last Tuesday to Dedham, to attend a Court there on the same old business of a new road in the town of Quincy, which called me there more than once while we lived in Boston—I dare say you will remember to have heard us talk about it—Certain persons wish to make a new road through the town, at the expence of the town, and against the will of the town—They had already been beaten twice of the ground, and Tuesday we had the question for the third Time—They were beaten off again; but still will not be quiet—I suppose we shall have another pull for it in September.
Our General Court are in Session, but I have not been in Boston since they met—They are employed as usual with an abundance of Turnpikes, and Bridges, and Banks, but they have also some other matter to amuse themselves with. They are to determine how the Electors of President and Vice-President are to be chosen—Whether by a general ticket to be elected throughout the Commonwealth—by separate districts, or by the Legislature themselves—It makes no difference as to the issue of the Election, which way it is determined, but the parties think it something worth contesting against each other.
We have had hitherto a very fine Season since the Spring opened, and plenteous rains, which were very much wanted last year—Hitherto there has been no very warm weather—This is the first day of genuine summer heat.
I enclosed in my last Letter which I hope you have before this received, a 50 dollar bill.
I am my dearest Louisa, ever affectionately yours
John Q. Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 10 June 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My very best friend
Washington  June 10th. 1804

I recieved your kind favor of the 31st on Friday Evening with the Bill enclosed for which I return you many thanks
I am rejoiced to hear that you Garden affords you so much amusement and hope to find it in high order against next summer I think if you intend to make any alterations in the House as there is nobody at present residing there it would be better to have them done this Summer We talked of adding a couple of Chambers and if it is possible & without too great expense I should very much desire to have some change made in the staircase which makes the entrance to the House intolerable as it stands at present should this be attended with any difficulty I entreat you to excuse the request as it is only made from an idea that it would contribute both to health & comfort—
Is Mrs. Gore much alter’d? I think Mrs. Derby should come here for the heat is so excessive that we are in a great measure obliged to adopt her mode of dress though with as much decency as we can very light cloathing will admit pray do not forget to remember me to my Boston friends when you see them, more particularly to Mrs. Smith—
Mrs. Merry surprized us last night by a visit quite en famille with Mr Moore a very agreeable man they staid a couple of hours he entertained us with some delightful airs on the Piano which he accompanied on the with his voice he sings entirely in the Italian stile & with exquisite taste Mr. M. favor’d us with a trio of his own composing which is really one of the finest pieces of Music I ever heard the words were likewise written by himself & begin “Lady fair where art thou roaming” this is the gentleman who translated Anacreon he looks very young to be so celebreated Mr. M. quits this place tomorrow it is probable he will visit Boston I have a great inclination to give him a letter to you that you may become acquainted with him—The day the Chargé left the City Mrs. M. paid a visit to Mrs. T. Peter and they are likely to become very intimate.—Chargés namesake the Dr. has very suddenly changed his Politicks and is now become a furious federalist to the astonishment of all the world—
Our little John has been extremely unwell & is wonderfully reduced he is now cutting two of his high teeth which have made him suffer very much for the last three weeks & are not yet through I have some thoughts of taking him to Bladensburg which is about eight miles from this place for a day or two as I think a change of air might be of great service to him he is much better the last three days & I make no doubt will be perfectly well when the teeth are through therefore do not be uneasy if he had been very seriously sick I should have written you before—George is very well Mrs. Merry says he is formed for a Politician he understands the art of twisting a subject better than any child she ever saw—I am sorry to say he has lost almost all his French—
Adieu my best loved friend remember me affectionately to your family & be assured of the unalterable affection of your
L. C. Adams


Title: From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Smith Adams, 13 June 1804
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear Madam
Washington June 13. 04

The affectionate sentiments which you have had the goodness to express in your letter of May 20. towards my dear departed daughter, have awakened in me sensibilities natural to the occasion, & recalled your kindnesses to her which I shall ever remember with gratitude & friendship. I can assure you with truth they had made an indelible impression on her mind, and that, to the last, on our meetings after long separations, whether I had heard lately of you, and how you did, were among the earliest of her enquiries. in giving you this assurance I perform a sacred duty for her, & at the same time am thankful for the occasion furnished me of expressing my regret that circumstances should have arisen which have seemed to draw a line of separation between us. the friendship with which you honoured me has ever been valued, and fully reciprocated; & altho’ events have been passing which might be trying to some minds, I never believed yours to be of that kind, nor felt that my own was. neither my estimate of your character, nor the esteem founded in that, have ever been lessened for a single moment, although doubts whether it would be acceptable may have forbidden manifestations of it. Mr. Adams’s friendship & mine began at an earlier date. it accompanied us thro’ long & important scenes. the different conclusions we had drawn from our political reading & reflections were not permitted to lessen mutual esteem, each party being conscious they were the result of an honest conviction in the other. like differences of opinion existing among our fellow citizens attached them to the one or the other of us, and produced a rivalship in their minds which did not exist in ours. we never stood in one another’s way: for if either had been withdrawn at any time, his favorers would not have gone over to the other, but would have sought for some one of homogeneous opinions. this consideration was sufficient to keep down all jealousy between us, & to guard our friendship from any disturbance by sentiments of rivalship: and I can say with truth that one act of mr Adams’s life,  and one only, ever gave me a moment’s personal displeasure. I did consider his last appointments to office as personally unkind. they were from among my most ardent political enemies, from whom no faithful cooperation could ever be expected, and laid me under the embarrasment of acting thro’ men whose views were to defeat mine; or to encounter the odium of putting others in their places. it seemed but common justice to leave a successor free to act by instruments of his own choice. if my respect for him did not permit me to ascribe the whole blame to the influence of others, it left something for friendship to forgive, and after brooding over it for some little time, and not always resisting the expression of it, I forgave it cordially, and returned to the same state of esteem & respect for him which had so long subsisted. having come into life a little later than mr Adams, his career has preceded mine, as mine is followed by some other, and it will probably be closed at the same distance after him which time originally placed between us. I maintain for him, & shall carry into private life an uniform & high measure of respect and good will, and for yourself a sincere attachment. I have thus, my dear Madam, opened myself to you without reserve, which I have long wished an opportunity of doing; and, without knowing how it will be recieved, I feel relief from being unbosomed. and I have now only to entreat your forgiveness for this transition from a subject of domestic affliction to one which seems of a different aspect. but tho connected with political events, it has  been viewed by me most strongly in it’s unfortunate bearings on my private friendships. the injury these have sustained have been a heavy price for what has never given me equal pleasure. that you may both be favored with health, tranquility and long life, is the prayer of one who tenders you the assurances of his highest consideration and esteem.
Th: Jefferson


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 14 June 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My beloved friend
Washington June 14th 1804

I send you enclosed the bill of Lading & Key of your Trunks which I suppose will have arrived in Boston when you recieve this letter—
I drank tea the night before last at Mrs Pichons their little Boy is very sick P. is really recalled but does not quit this country untill next spring Mr. & Mrs. Bonaparte are gone but from what I heard a few evenings she is not likely to meet with a very agreeable reception the First Consul does not chuse to know that his Brother is married & has never taken the slightest notice of the letters which Jerome wrote to announce his marriage but written in answer that he must return to France immediately in the frigate sent for him she has chosen to go & her fate seems very doubtful Madisson who drank tea here on Monday told us that Mr Paterson was highly offended at the first Consuls for refusing to recieve him he desired to be presented as Mrs.  J B.s Brother when the First Consul said he knew no such person & on Mr. P.s desiring again to be presented he declined seeing him altogether we here of nothing now but the Tyrant—
Mr & Mrs. Merry leave town today they do not intend visiting Boston at present but going to Mr. Binghams seat at Black Point where they will remain during part of the summer—
The weather is wretched it rains incessantly & it is said the wheat will be entirely spoilt it is so cold that yesterday when my Sisters called at Mrs. Pichons to see the Child they found her sitting by a fire they have moved into the seven buildings & have two houses—
Mr. & Mrs. Low are finally parted they have even divided their furniture Mrs L has sent her part of it to Mrs. Barry’s to be taken care of there are some shocking things said of her but I cannot believe them & I dare not write them
Sunday June 17th 1804
My letter being too late for the Post I was obliged to defer it untill today—
We Yesterday had the most tremendous weather I ever witnessed the rain came down in torrents accompanied with Thunder & lightning the River looked most dreadful it was entirely cover’d with wood whole sides of houses with large Trees torn up by the Roots furniture of all sorts Cows Chickens Men every thing in fact was swept away by the violence of the Current We saw two Boys saved before our windows I never was so much alarmed in my life the River is still cover’d with wood & the poor people are busily employed in catching it while the better sort amuse themselves by walking about to view this melancholy scene of devastation—
I have not heard from you my beloved friend it is ten days since I recieved your last letter Our poor little John has been very sick but I thank God he is much better Dr. Weems has order’d him to be bathed in the Shower Bath his teeth teaze him so much he will not run alone so early as I expected it does not however make me very anxious George is very well as brown as a mullato Indian he is very angry with you he told me yesterday you had been gone a great while & that he thought you might come home—
Adieu my most loved & esteemed Friend I count the days with impatience that must yet elapse ere we can shall be reunited & most anxiously look forward to the Period that will bring you to the arms and heart of your most sincerely affectionate Wife
L C Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 17 June 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My best friend.
Quincy 17. June 1804.

Yesterday my mother went to Boston, and in the Evening brought out Mrs: Foster with her two children, one of whom is unwell, and requires the benefit of a little rural ai—But what was of more immediate consequence to myself, was your letter of the 6th: instt: which my mother also brought out, the profiles and all. One of your profiles is much more like than the other; and that of course I keep for myself, together with Caroline’s—My Mother spoke for one of yours before she knew it was intended for her—And so I consented she should have it—I shall send or give your enclosed paper and orders to Mrs. Whitcomb—When your things were sent on she had not got all the bills, and of course did not know the prices—I have been into Boston but once since, and then had not time to settle—But in a few days, I propose to undertake that weighty expedition again, and then shall be able to let you know what the prices are.
There is nothing on this earth that can give me more sincere and heart-felt pleasure, than to hear of any thing prosperous befalling any part of your family—And I most ardently sympathize with your joy, at the brightening prospects which promise to add comfort to the future situation of your beloved mother—The letter to Mr: Murdoch which you sent me to forward with your last, will go by the ship Warrington to Liverpool, now just about to sail.—Poor Shaw is confined to his chamber, with the rhumatism.
The name of the Prussian Gentleman, whom you mention as having been at Washington is Humboldt—I think I recollect hearing of him, and of his voyage to South America while we were at Berlin.
Since I last wrote you my remotest expedition has been to Weymouth, where I went with my mother to tea at Dr: Tufts’s—We called also at Mr: Norton’s, whose wife is just getting up from the birth of another daughter—So you see she is not in a decline—The last fortnight the weather here has been very warm and dry—The pease and strawberries are just come—My farming labours slacken, as the Sun becomes intense; but I find enough to do within doors.—We have not much solitude—Since my last we have had visits from Dr: Welsh and his Lady—Mr: & Mrs: Otis (the elder) with their daughters—Mrs: Quincy, with two of her children and Sister Margaret—She (not Margaret, but Mrs: Quincy) looks portly again
Our State Legislature have had some very animated debates within the last ten days—If you read the Boston papers you may have remarked the answer of the Senate to the Governor’s Speech—I believe Quincy drew it up—It contains some remarks which stirr’d the blood of several Gentlemen, who thought that every censure upon political hypocrites and impostors must of course be meant for them—They attack’d it with no small violence, but without success.
Then came on a question about the manner of choosing electors for President and Vice-President—Whether by Districts or by a general ticket—The latter was adopted, after long and bitter opposition—among the supporters of which Mr. Morton has made himself very conspicuous.
Last of all they have begun to carve out work for their Senators in Congress. A motion has pass’d the House of Representatives, and either has or probably will go through the Senate, to Instruct the Senators of the State in the National Legislature, to use their endeavours for obtaining an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, whereby the representation of Slaves shall be done away—All this I know only by hearsay, and the newspapers; for I have not been near Boston since the General Court met.
My brother has been gone nearly a week upon a tour to Haverhill—I presume he passes his time there as agreeably as here—Miss H. Adams has been here some days; deeply engaged in the compilation of her new work
In the course of my recent reading I met for the first time some verses by Dr: Donne to his wife, on his being obliged to go to France, and leave her behind in England. They struck me the more forcibly as they are so peculiarly applicable to this painful separation, which we endure
Our two souls therefore, which are one
Though I must go, indure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to airy thinness beat.
If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two;
Thy soul, the fixt foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if t’other do:
And though it in the center sit,
Yet when the other far doth rome,
It leans and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.
Such wilt thou be to me, who must
Like t’other foot, obliquely run:
Thy firmness makes my circle just,
And makes me end where I begun—
The versification is not quite so perfect as it would have been, if written 200 years later, but if I could have sent you any thing half so pretty as the thought, of my own growth, I would not have turn’d copyist even of Donne’s poetry to show you, how faithfully I ever am, your affectionate
John Q. Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 23 June 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

Quincy 23. June 1804.

The Sun is just making his appearance for the first time these five days, during which we have had a cold North-East Storm, and almost continual rains—In the midst of this gloom, which has confined us closely to the house, I received your letter of the 10th: with the account of our dear child’s illness—It has distress’d me much; and though I hope it is only the previous indisposition to the cutting of his teeth, I shall be uneasy till I hear from you again—
The same weather which has confined us at home, has produced the same effect upon our neighbours, so that scarce an incident has occurr’d since my last, that will bear relating—We have been cut off from communication with the world like Noah and his family in the Ark, and I have had nothing to do but to plod over the books in the Office—sometimes alone, and some times in delightful tête a tête with my namesake Miss H. Adams, who as you know has the same propensity—You will not be alarm’d—She is a woman of few words though of manifold contemplations, so that although we have pass’d a considerable part of the last four days together, and quite by ourselves, yet all the words that have pass’d between us, would hardly compose a Laconian apophthegm—The day before yesterday indeed my brother return’d from Haverhill—still alone—And since then he has turn’d the duet of Miss H. and myself into a trio.
The newspapers inform us that Mr: and Mrs: Merry have left Washington, to visit Baltimore, Philadelphia, New-York and Boston—whether I shall see them in this last place or not is uncertain, for as I visit it scarcely oftener than once a month, it is a chance whether I shall be there at the same time with them.
The first-Consul’s brother Jerome, it is said finds it difficult to get away from New-York, because two English frigates of much inferior force, are watching the departure of the two french frigates which are to convoy him—Or rather they were watching; for it seems the frenchmen applied to the Mayor at New-York, to prevent the sailing of the English frigates within twenty-four hours after them—The pilots on board the English frigates accordingly received orders not to carry out their charge, untill the expiration of that term after the departure of the french ships; whereupon the pilots were landed, and the English ships immediately went to sea—The french frigates will attempt to slip out by the way of the Sound.—This is a strange sort of dodging, for the strongest side to use—But I confess I should be very sorry that a serious engagement should take place between these ships, with the Venus of Baltimore on board one of them—The villainous saltpetre may be dug from the bowels of the Earth, to lay low the tall-fellows—But it should respect the beauties of the sex:—The Lady, may perhaps be one of the reasons, why the french frigates are so anxious to avoid a contest, with a smaller force than their own.
I should be much surprized myself, if the report which you mention of the Chargé’s namesake having turn’d federalist, were well founded—It has appear’d to me that the Dr: was never a very warm partizan, and certainly at this time federalism will not be much for his interest.
I enclose you a copy of the Song to Hebe, which you asked me for several times last Winter, when I had none at hand, and could not recollect it—You have I think the music with you.
Your’s ever affectionately
J. Q. Adams.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 June 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My Dear Friend
Washington June 26th 1804

I am anxiously waiting to hear from you and only write to inform you that our little darling has entirely recover’d his health and looks as well and as handsome as ever He will not run alone so soon as I could wish I hope however he will in the course of a month should he continue well George is very well and grows quite fat again
Your Absense begins to be insupportable and the time which yet intervenes appears to me interminable The weather & every thing has contributed to render it more irksome It creeps on so tardily that I feel a degree of impatience which keeps one in a state of constant irritation and I shall know neither happiness or peace till you return I endeavour to persuade myself that you are happier where you are than you would be here—
The family are all well and desire to be remember’d to yourself and friends Do not forget to plant plenty of Rasberries in your Garden and Currants likewise as they are two of the most useful fruits I wish you could bring a few strips with you for Mrs. Hellen It will be just the Season for planting—
Adieu my beloved friend Think of me with tenderness & believe in the sincere affection of your truly attachd
L. C. Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 July 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dearest Louisa
Quincy 1. July 1804.

On Thursday, I went into Boston, for the first time this month past, and there received at once your two letters of 14th: and 20th: of June. They alleviated in part, and only in part the heavy anxiety which has weighed on my Spirits for the health of the dear child—I hope the fine weather has return’d with you, so that you have been able to give him the benefit of the air and exercise—I cannot avoid misgivings for you all as the trying Season approaches—God Grant you may all go through it without inconvenience or illness.—For the last fortnight our weather here has been generally cold, and great part of it rainy—But the preceding week at the very time when by your letters it appears to have been the worst, we had only to complain of the heat, which was excessive, and which occasioned some drought, while you were in such a drenching.
My lettered, and silent companion of the Office, whom I mentioned to you in my last, soon after departed; and yesterday Mrs. Foster and her two children left us, so that we are now reduced to the family alone—But Susan is in vacation, and here—She grows tall and slender—and continues to make rapid improvement at School—She already writes a very tolerable hand.
We have many reports in circulation from Europe, and you have doubtless seen, there in the newspapers, that Genl: Smith’s nephew’s brother (as Mr: Breckenridge called him) is not to be satisfied with the vapid denomination of first-Consul—but is soon to swell into an Emperor—Should this take effect the recognition of Citizen Jerome’s marriage, will prove more difficult than ever—However, I presume that it will thoroughly reconcile the Smith’s and the Nicholas’s and the Patterson’s, and all the fifteenth Cousins, who felt so radiant at their affinity to the wife of the first Consul’s brother—it will thoroughly reconcile them I think to the disavowal of the Connection on the french side of the water—For stern republicans as they are, however flattered they might be by kindred to a first-Consul, they must hold in utter abhorrence all relationship to an Emperor—
After all there is a very rational ground of hope upon which they may with some confidence rely—The rocket blazes just before its fall—In the mutabilities of this world nothing is more probable than that the citizen Jerome will at no very distant period be indebted for life and support, to this very despised alliance—Richard Cromwell by changing his name and plunging into the deepest obscurity, was suffered to live all his days, and attained a great age—Jerome was no more born to wield Empires than Richard—But both may be much wiser men than their towering relatives—
I delivered both your letters to Mrs: Whitcomb. The key and bill of lading came safe to hand but the vessel has not yet arrived—Mrs: Whitcomb will procure, and I will forward the Articles for which you write—They are to leave our house to-morrow—He goes to Concert Hall—I am not determined what to do with the house, but think of selling it.—I shall duly attend to your request in a late letter, and if possible with any convenience, will make an addition to the house at the foot of Penn’s hill—Dr: Phipps is building an house close in that neighbourhood, and on the other side of the road.
Adieu, my dearest friend; I count as anxiously as you the moments as they roll, with impatience, waiting for that which shall unite you once more to your ever faithful and affectionate husband
John Q. Adams.
I enclose you a minute of the costs of the Articles sent you—as you requested—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 July 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louisa
Quincy 4. July 1804 John’s Birthday.

Yesterday, being in Boston on some business, I received your letter of the 26th: with the pleasing intelligence of the dear child’s recovery.—I had scarcely enjoyed a moment of unconcern since your first account of his illness; I hope his teeth have come through before this time, and that he will soon recover his strength so as to get upon his feet.
At the same time with your letter I received also one from Mr: Hellen enclosing one for Amsterdam, which will be forwarded in the course of a few days. There are several vessels about to sail for that place from Boston—Mention to Mr: Hellen this, with my most affectionate remembrance.
We have now had two or three days of severely warm weather—But it was just the weather wanted here, it being just the Season for mowing and making Hay—This of course you remember must be done when the sun shines.
I have heard the guns firing at Boston, from the Office window where I sit writing, but have not had the curiosity to go into Town this day—The Oration is delivered by our friend Dr: Danforth, and I find high expectations are entertained of it, by some Gentleman whom I saw yesterday.
Poor Shaw has been confined to his chamber more than a fortnight, with a cruel rhumatism, of the inflammatory species, for nobody calls it Gout—We expect him here to complete his convalescence—Mr: Quincy and his family also are coming out to pass the remainder of the Summer in the Country.
I see by the newspapers that Mr: Huger declines standing a candidate for re-election to a seat in Congress—What with voluntary retirements, and forcible removals, the prospects for the complexion of the next Congress are but indifferent.
The vessel has arrived with my two trunks: but they have not yet been landed. I shall take care to plant some raspberries and currants in our garden, and will endeavour to bring some slips for Mr: Hellen.—We have just now a great abundance of raspberries, from the vines in the garden. But many of the other fruits suffer much from an unusual quantity of vermine occasioned, as we suppose by the extraordinary moisture of the Season.—A most pernicious insect called here a rosebug devours the grapes, the peaches, apricots, nectarines, and the leaves of every plant that grows.—But another much more diabolical, is a white worm which attacks the peach trees, at the roots and has destroyed more than half the trees in the garden, within these six weeks—After blossoming as full as I have ever seen, and appearing at the opening of summer with a load of young fruit that seemed only to call for thinning, they began of a sudden to droop. Leaf after leaf, and peach after peach, drops in melancholy succession, till the whole garden is strewed with dead vegetation, as at the close of autumn, and the trees stand bare and blasted as if to reproach the skies with their fate—This worm has committed the same ravages, in most of the gardens of the neighbourhood, and threatens destruction to all the Peaches in our part of the Country.
Your’s most affectionately
J. Q. Adams.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 July 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My most beloved friend
Washington July 4th. 1804

I recieved your last very kind letter two days since and return you many thanks for your verses the idea is extremely beautiful and I should be much delighted to see it dressed in some other form by you I do not admire the versification at present whatever you do write must be more grateful to me than the best piece that ever was penned—
I followed the multitude today and went to pay my respects to the President every body attended that remain’d in town—and we had as much Ice Cream and cake as we could eat the President is so alter’d I scarcely knew him he is grown very thin and looks very old—
Poor Pichon is in great distress their little Lewis is dangerously ill Dr May attends him but he is fearful he has been called in too late Mrs. Pichon is very much to be pitied she will not believe her Child is Sick she has however consented to the Childs being Cloathed in Flannel I sincerely hope it will recover but I very much fear it is in the last stage of a decline—
There have been five attempts made to destroy Mount Vernon Mrs. Washington dare not Sleep there when Mr. Washington is from home a few days since a servant went into the Cellar for something in the evening and found it in a blaze they put it out with difficulty and on searching the Cellar discover’d a Barrel filled with Tar Shaving &c. prepared to set fire to the Gardener an Irishman is supposed to have done it and has been confined in consequence but this last attempt has been made since his imprisonment—
I see by the papers Col. Trumbull is returned it is here said Mr. Pinckney is to have the place of Attorney General in lieu of Mr. Lincoln in the hope of his becoming one of the reigning party he returns early in the Spring—
Adieu my beloved friend remember me affectionately to your friends the  are much as usual I intend going to Bladensburg tomorrow by way of changing the air I shall write you as soon as I return with the tenderest sentiments of esteem and love I am remain your faithful
L. C. Adams
P.S. The President asked after you and was very anxious to know when you returned.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 9 July 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My beloved friend
Washington City July 9th 1804

Your kind favor reached me the last Wednesday and I left town early on Thursday Morning with my two little ones to try the effect of change of air I thank God it has answer’d beyond my most sanguine hopes and the our dear Babe has return’d in much better health and spirrits. I have recieved a kind invitation from Aunt Cook which I have accepted and propose going in about a week it is twelve miles from Frederic and I am told remarkably healthy—
Madame Pichon has met with the most severe stroke her little Lewis is no more and Pichon and herself are the image of despair she endeavours to appear composed and resigned but her sufferings are too acute for concealment and she is more interesting and more enchanting than ever they intend travelling for a short time and the President has invited them to Monticello to pass two or three weeks—Ah my best & dearest friend it makes my heart bleed to see her and I feel oppressed with such a heavy weight of care when I look at our lovely children separated as I am from you my life is a scene of continual anxiety you know how fondly I doat on my Children you may therefore rest assured they shall be watched with the fondest care and every thing that is possible for a mother to   do shall be done to promote their welfare during your absence—
Pichon has recieved an order from his government to stay and they have given up all thoughts of returning home for some time Mrs. Merry is gone to Philadelphia she has quite won my heart from her kindness to Mrs Pichon though she could not visit her all the little delicacies could procure and treated her in every other respect with the utmost attention I understand Bonaparte is declared Emperor of the Gauls I suppose we shall soon have high sounding Titles from France Mr Livingston I understand is in high disgrace and I think he richly deserves it—
Adieu my dearest friend remember me to all at home I have begun to bathe George the weather is as warm as when we landed I fear it will be a dreadful unhealthy Summer I daily offer up my prayers to the Almighty for your health and happiness and look forward with inexpressible impatience to the time in which you will again embrace your very affectionate
Louisa C. Adams
P.S. I send another of Carolines profiles for your Mother and one of Harriet Kitty and Tom which I wish you to have framed for me


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 13 July 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dearest Louisa
Quincy 13. July 1804.

A tour to Boston appears of late to bring me luck; yesterday, for the third time within this fortnight, I went there and found a letter from you—This was dated the 4th: and was written the same day that I on my part was writing to you, as I hope you have by this time perceived.—This repeated pleasure has in a great measure removed the aversion I had before to visiting the metropolis, and I shall probably frequent it more during the remainder of my exile from my best friend, and children
I found my trunks safe, and brought one of them out with me last evening—The Alert was just ready to sail again, and I gave the owner a small packet, containing the things which Mrs: Whitcomb had procured for you—Though unfortunately the most delicious article, the dear vermilion, is not to be had in Boston—The Captain will take charge of your Packet, but it being so small I took no bill of lading for it.
Whitcomb has got into the House at Concert-Hall, but will not be comfortably settled down for some months—The building is undergoing a metamorphosis almost total—The dancing Hall widened and lengthened—Another smaller Hall built in the back part of the house, and various other apartments are to be fitted up—I wish he may prove as successful there, as he has been hertofore—The terms upon which he has the house, are very safe and advantageous to him—But my principal apprehension is that his health will not stand the incessant fatigues of supporting so large an establishment—His wife has been very unwell but appeared yesterday to be quite recovered—
I did not succeed in the attempt to sell the house he left; no person appearing to offer anything approaching its value—At present it remains untenanted; but from its situation I think it cannot long remain so.
I dined at Mr: Smith’s—Mrs: Smith has been quite ill, all last week, and still appears feeble—She has however had her health much better this Spring and Summer, than at any time while we resided in Boston.
Mrs: Cutts has been three weeks in Boston, as I was informed yesterday—I had not heard of her being there before then, and she is now gone to Portsmouth—Mrs: Payne, and her Sister Sally Gray, exerted themselves much to make her visit agreeable to her—
Another piece of news to me was that of a matrimonial speculation between Mr: Francis Amory and Miss Kirkland, ci-devant Mrs——— I forget what—But I suppose you know—When I say news, it must be with some qualification—I had heard surmises of the sort before; but from a degree of improbability in the report, I had not thought best to mention it to you—The continuance of the rumour, and the confidence with which it is now circulated has given it a consistency which will warrant me in giving you the information.
Our neighbour Mrs: Beale, the old Lady, is extremely ill—Indeed dangerously so, though this day a little better than yesterday.—Mrs.: Whitney has a son—Though I believe I have notified you of this event before.
I am very sorry to hear that Mrs: Pichon is in danger of losing her child; and hope it will still recover—At this Season one would hardly imagine it possible that it should be affected with a consumption—As the great heats draw near I feel my anxiety for the health of our children and your own grow more and more sollicitous—I hope your excursion to Bladensburg will have proved both useful and agreeable to you.
I had seen in some newspaper an account of one incendiary attempt, at Mount Vernon; but am surprized that it should so often have been repeated without detection—We have just now seen published the famous charge of Judge Bowen to a grand Jury in Georgia, which you will find in some of the papers.—I think it to the credit of the Georgia People, that they suffered him to get away with an whole skin—For although there is nothing more strong as to principle in the charge, than Mr: Jefferson himself has published in his Notes on Virginia, yet Bowen went one step further—He drew the inference from the theory—and then the madness of the doctrines appeared in full view.
I wish the report you have heard that Mr: W. Pinckney, on his return to this Country, is to be appointed Attorney-General, may prove to be well founded; but I suspect Mr: Lincoln will not so readily loosen his hold of the place—It seems the successor to Mr: Livingston at the Imperial Court of France, is to be Genl: Armstrong, and Genl: Smith must yet content his ambition with being uncle-in law, to his imperial highness the Arch-duke Jerome—Thus much, for Liberty, Equality, fraternity, french-republics one and indivisible, and the unalienable rights of Man—
Ever affectionately yours
A.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 19 July 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

Quincy 19. July 1804.

My visit to Boston yesterday, was equally successful with those I had made several times before; for I found there your’s of the 9th: enclosing the profiles—I rejoyce to hear that your tour to Bladensburg has been of service to the health of the children—And I hope your visit to your aunt will prove equally so to them and to yourself.
I sincerely sympathise with poor Pichon and his wife, at the heavy loss they have sustained; the severity of which I believe none but Parents can realize.
We dined yesterday with W. Sumner, and a large party of Gentlemen—Among the rest Mr: Rutledge, of S. Carolina, who has just arrived in Boston—He appears to be in good Spirits
Conversation now can scarcely turn upon any other subject than the late horrible duel at New-York; the circumstances which led to it, and the manner in which it was conducted are as yet very imperfectly known; but I cannot conceive any possible circumstances, which can justify the conduct of Mr: Burr, either preceding the fatal day, or immediately subsequent to it—His principal aim appears to have been to make a display of indifference and unconcern; and this he did in a manner which in its fairest light can only be considered as an excess of affectation.
22. July 1804.
Day before yesterday—(Friday,) I went over to Roxbury and dined with Mr. T. Amory—Mr: & Mrs: Dexter, Mr: & Mrs: Jonathan Amory, Mr: & Mrs: W. Payne, the two Miss Payne’s and Sally Gray, were there—Miss Dexter was also to have been there, but had met with an accident; dislocated a bone in her hand I believe, which prevented her—Mrs: Dexter enquired very particularly after you, and almost scolded me for leaving you behind—Jo: Hall was there too, and we discuss’d over again the duel at New-York, and his Imperial Majesty, Bonaparte.
We have now seen the correspondence between Mr: Burr, and General Hamilton, which led to their fatal meeting, and I am fully confirmed in the opinion I had entertained of the transaction before—Mr: Burr began by making a demand of General Hamilton, which he must have known Hamilton could not, and ought not to answer—To make the matter more sure, he couched the demand in terms at which a much cooler man than Hamilton must have spurned—The substance was so vague and indefinite, as to render impossible the very avowal or disavowal it affected to require—The form was studied to provoke and insult, by an assumption of superiority, which a man of Spirit could not submit to. Hamilton saw through the artifice, and yet had not a sufficient controul over his own passions, or a sufficient elevation over the prejudices of the world to parry it—Had he omitted half a line in his first answer, which must be considered as inviting a challenge, I see nothing on his part of the correspondence, against which any reasonable objection can be raised—The conduct of Mr: Burr through the whole affair, appears to me strongly to corroborate that opinion of his character which his enemies have long ascribed to him.
You remember they used to joke at Berlin, about Prince Louis, (Bonaparte) but in sober sadness it has come to the same thing—This is the turn of one tire more in the wheel of the French Revolution; but it has not yet got completely round. Poor Jerome, who is so cavalierly left out of the line of aggrandizement and succession must be content to sing to the tune of All for Love, or the world well lost—And well lost in my opinion it really will be for him—I have been told however that in his Marriage Articles, there is an express provision made for the possible case, of his getting sick of his bargain and casting off the lady—A stipulation which is equally marked with humility, and with prudence on her part.
As to titles, if what we see in the papers be true the french are going to plunge into them with all the fondness of children for a new rattle—There is Imperial Majesty Josephine, Imperial Highnesses Joseph and Louis, Grand Elector, and High-Constable, Serene Highness Arch Chancellor Cambaceres, and Arch Treasurer Lebrun, &c &c—was there ever so horrible a Tragedy, concluded with so ridiculous a farce?—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 July 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My most esteemed friend
Washington July 20th: 1804

I recieved yours of the fourth only two days since & cannot concieve the reason of your letters being so long on the road I scarcely ever get one under a fortnight your last I believe was owing to your not having sent it to the post office untill eight four days after it was written I know nothing that adds so cruelly to the bitterness of separation as a want of punctuality in writing—
Since my last we have heard of the dreadful fate of General Hamilton which seems to spread a general gloom his loss must be severely felt by his Country & friends and foes here unite in lamenting his death untimely death indeed my beloved friend the times are such I tremble to look forward and though you know my ambition I almost wish you were comfortably settled in your old profession free at least from the cares of Public life—
You have no doubt of heard of the Indians who are at this place two of them came here & sat an hour or two the day before yesterday they have visited most of the Ladies and are very polite & civil and remarkably handsome—the President has a Marquis in his Grounds and a guard stationed this is something quite new and has excited some wonder—
The Summer affects our Children considerably George has been quite unwell with a Bowel complaint is he is much better thought not perfectly recover’d John is much better & begins to gain flesh but the teeth are not yet through and it will be sometime ere he walks indeed I am not anxious that he should untill the two next months have elapsed—
Adieu my much loved friend. I am sorry to hear poor Shaw is suffering so severely tell him it is a sign he is growing rich and remember me to him kindly I enclose you Curtis’s Oration it is here very much admired believe me most affectionately yours,
L. C. Adams


Title: From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Smith Adams, 22 July 1804
From: Jefferson, Thomas
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Dear Madam
Washington July 22. 04.

Your favor of the 1st. inst. was duly recieved, and I would not again have intruded on you but to rectify certain facts which seem not to have been presented to you under their true aspect. My charities to Callendar are considered as rewards for his calumnies. as early, I think, as 1796, I was told in Philadelphia that Callendar, the author of the Political progress of Britain, was in that city, a fugitive from persecution for having written that book, and in distress. I had read and approved the book: I considered him as a man of genius, unjustly persecuted. I knew nothing of his private character, and immediately expressed my readiness to contribute to his relief, & to serve him. it was a considerable time after, that, on application from a person who thought of him as I did, I contributed to his relief, and afterwards repeated the contribution. himself I did not see till long after, nor ever more than two or three times. when he first began to write he told some useful truths in his coarse way; but no body sooner disapproved of his writings than I did, or wished more that he would be silent. my charities to him were no more meant as encouragements to his scurrilities than those I give to the beggar at my door are meant as rewards for the vices of his life, & to make them chargeable to myself. in truth they would have been greater to him had he never written a word after the work for which he fled from Britain. with respect to the calumnies and falsehoods which writers and printers at large published against mr Adams, I was as far from stooping to any concern or approbation of them as mr Adams was respecting those of Porcupine, Fenno, or Russell, who published volumes against me for every sentence vended by their opponents against mr Adams. but I never supposed mr Adams had any participation in the atrocities of these editors or their writers. I knew myself incapable of that base warfare, & believed him to be so. on the contrary, whatever I may have thought of the acts of the administration of that day, I have ever borne testimony to mr Adams’s personal worth, nor was it ever impeached in my presence without a just vindication of it on my part. I never supposed that any person who knew either of us could believe that either meddled in that dirty work. but another fact is that I “liberated a wretch who was suffering for a libel against mr Adams.” I do not know who was the particular wretch alluded to: but I discharged every person under punishment or prosecution under the Sedition law, because I considered & now consider that law to be a nullity as absolute and as palpable as if Congress had ordered us to fall down and worship a golden image; and that it was as much my duty to arrest it’s execution in every stage, as it would have been to have rescued from the fiery furnace those who should have been cast into it for refusing to worship their image. it was accordingly done in every instance, Without asking what the offenders had done, or against whom they had offended, but whether the pains they were suffering were inflicted under the pretended Sedition law. it was certainly possible that my motives for contributing to the relief of Callender might have been and liberating sufferers under the Sedition law, might have been to protect, encourage and reward slander: but they may also have been those which inspire ordinary charities to objects of distress, meritorious or not, or the obligations of an oath to protect the constitution, violated by an unauthorised act of Congress. which of these were my motives must be decided by a regard to the general tenor of my life. on this I am not afraid to appeal to the nation at large, to posterity, and still less to that being who sees himself our motives, who will judge us from his own knolege of them, and not on the testimony of a Porcupine or Fenno.
You observe there has been one other act of my administration personally unkind, and suppose it will readily suggest itself to me. I declare on my honor, Madam, I have not the least conception what act is alluded to. I never did a single one with an unkind intention. My sole object in this letter being to place before you attention that the acts imputed to me are either such as are falsely imputed, or as might flow from good as well as bad motives. I shall make no other addition than the assurances of my continued wishes for the health & happiness of yourself & mr Adams.
Th: Jefferson


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 28 July 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dearest Louisa
Quincy 28. July 1804.

The delays in the receipt of my letters, of which you complain are occasioned sometimes by a delay in sending them to the Post-Office, and sometimes must be accounted for by the Post-Office itself—I have oftentimes suffered the same impatience to hear from you, and last evening after having been nearly a fortnight without a line from you, received together your kind letters of the 13th: and 20th: of this month—How it happened that the first of them had been so long on the way I am unable to say, but I was joyful and grateful to receive it at last.
It grieves me to the soul to hear that the health of the children suffers already so much from the Season; and anxious as my nature has made me, I never felt the continual pains of anxiety more than I now do for them—After all, I must put my trust in Providence, and hope for the best—And I well know that every thing which the tenderest affection and the most unwearied Care can do for them will be done by you.—I have no concern about John’s running alone for two or three months to come—Extraordinary forward infants are not always the most promising, as is proved by the fate of Pichon’s poor child—
Whenever you conclude upon your visit to your Aunt, let not the manner of getting there be any difficulty, but hire a carriage without hesitation—I never can set expence in one scale, when the comfort or pleasure of my wife and children is in the other.
We have had for a fortnight past the weather uncommonly cool, but without much rain; and it has contributed to make the Season unusually healthy—There is no prevailing complaint in any part of this Country—I hope the same cool weather has to a degree at least extended to you, and will preserve from the apprehended effects of the excessive rains early in the Summer.
Mr: and Mrs: King are in Boston, or rather at Waltham at Mrs: Gore’s—They were here yesterday—Mrs: King has been troubled with a fever and ague, which he took early in the Spring, and which occasionally returns upon him.
On Thursday—(the day before yesterday) there was a funeral procession, and an Eulogium upon General Hamilton, delivered in the Chapel Church at Boston, by Mr: Otis. I did not go to hear it; for although far from being disposed at this time to contest the merits of Mr: Hamilton, but neither the manner of his Death, nor his base treatment of more than one of my connections, would permit me to join in any outward demonstration of regret which I could not feel at heart—Otis as you will readily believe acquitted himself very well of his performance.
I am going this day to Boston upon some business, and take this letter with me, that there may be no delay in its delivery to the Post–Office—We are all well—Shaw still here, but quite recovered from his illness—My dear Mother has hitherto enjoyed her health this Summer better than I have known her at any time since I returned from Europe—God Grant it may long continue.
Ever faithfully your’s.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 31 July 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My very very dear friend
Washington July 31st. 1804

Last night I recieved your kind favour of the 19th & 22d I was sure the melancholy circumstance which so lately took place would occasion great consternation in your part of the World It is indeed most dreadful & I think every one who values his life should be extremely careful how he expresses his sentiments on almost any subject particularly at this moment when people appear to be on the  watch for opportunities of destroying each other I have just heard of the association it is a disgrace to any civilized Country & in my opinion calls for the severest punishment at such a distance as we now are from each other I do not think it prudent to say all I think on this horrible subject & whatever pleasure I may feel in your confidence I shall enjoy it infinitely more when we meet and are not liable to the mischance which must ever attend a correspondence —
I am happy to learn that you again frequent society pray give my love to Mrs. Dexter next time you see her I do not at all wonder she blamed you for leaving me behind I know she is no friend to such separations I however place such implicit confidence in your affection I never can feel one moments uneasiness but from the loss of your society that indeed must ever inflict a pain which I never shall acquire a sufficient degree of philosophy to overcome—
Our dear Babe is I thank God much better and I hope he will pass the next two months without so severe a trial George is quite well but very thin he grows so fast we cannot expect to see him very fat I put them both into the cold bath every day Dr. Weems desires me on no account to go to Frederick but wishes me to take the child short journeys frequently so as to change the air as often as possible I am about engaging a carriage by the month or three months as I think it will be cheaper indeed if it was not for your great objection it would be better to purchase a pair of Horses and a second hand Coachee in which we could return in the spring do not be angry as this is a mere idea which darted into mind at the moment—Adieu Believe me ever yours.
L C A


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 August 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My best & dearest friend
Washington August 5th. 1804

Your kind favour of the 23d arrived in due time and afforded me sincere pleasure as it contained the pleasing intelligence of the health of yourself & friends and I unite with you in prayers for its long continuance—
Our dear children I hope & trust are recovering from the effects of the Season although we have had little or no hot weather it has been unusually sickly & the Summer complaint has proved very fatal. George has entirely recover’d & John is much better though there appears to be two more teeth in a state of forwardness which still occasion a degree of irritability that prevents him from gaining either health flesh or strength—
The Alert has been here & sailed again but I have not yet got the things owing to the Captains having left them at Alexandria I believe they are safe but begin to be a little anxious about them as it is more than a week since the Alert arrived here I intended to have sent my Hangle & Table home but the Vessel was so full Captain Smith could not take them—
Mr. I. T. Mason has resigned his place of Attorney general of the District. He is coming into Congress in the room of Mr. Heister who died here last Winter—
I do not doubt Otis’s having acquitted himself with applause on such a subject one would think it was impossible to fail Governeur Morris falls very far short of what I expected I wonder you were not there whatever a mans faults may have been we should not carry resentment beyond the Grave remember my beloved friend that as we forgive so shall we be forgiven & the opinion of the World must be favorable when we act up to the true principles of our religion—
Adieu my best friend you must have understood my last letter I therefore need not repeat my cautions present my best respects to all I fear your Mother is offended indeed it was not my intention to offend and I hope you will try to make my appology and ever believe me your most sincere and affectionate Wife

L. C. AdamsI will thank you to send me some money
It is here said Col. B. is expected in Baltimore to fight General S. for some insult offer’d last Winter


Title: From James Sullivan to Thomas Boylston Adams, 6 August 1804
From: Sullivan, James
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

Sir
Boston 6th 1804

We have reflected some  our dispute in regard to damage done your estate in medford. We wish you to consider before you come to town how far a proposition of this nature would claim your attention. We have about Six acres purched from Russells Estate & Joining yours;  apart of which might be received in exchange for what we take from you; and a reasonable Sum be paid for removing the house over the canal on higher ground Where it may stand near the new road proposed by you.
I am with regard / your humble Sert
Ja Sullivan


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to George Sullivan, 8 August 1804
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Sullivan, George

Sir
Quincy 8th: August 1804

The proposition made by the Proprietors of the Middlesex Canal & communicated by your favor of the 6th: Currt: will occasion me to take another jaunt to Medford, as I am at present entirely unacquainted with the situation of the Russell estate. I know not precisely when it will be in my power to go again to Medford, but when it is I shall wish some one of the proprietors to accompany me. Until then I must defer the answer on behalf of the proprietors of the Medford farm—
I am Sir / Your very hble & obedt Servt:
Thomas B Adams.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 12 August 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My best loved friend
Washington Augst. 12th. 1804

Since your favor of the twenty third I have not had the pleasure of hearing from you and I suffer the most dreadful anxiety lest illness should be the cause of your not writing Oh God of Heaven forbid I cannot support the idea of your being sick and I so far from you the thought is torture and I shall know no peace untill I hear Oh this separation life is not worth having on such terms rather than continue this distressing way of passing our time lives I would chearfully relinquish it. Form’d for domestic life my whole Soul devoted to you and my children yet ambitious to excess my heart and head are constantly at war my affection is stronger the most powerful and at this moment when every fear is rouzed I would willingly give up every future hope of your attainning the highest honors your Country admits to be assured we never should part more—
Our dear Little ones are pretty well though John still continues weak I fear he will not recover his strength during the warm weather he has eight teeth—
Adieu my dearest friend To heaven I offer my most fervent prayers for your health and prosperity and remain with the hope sweet anticipation of our reunion your very very / affectionate wife
Louisa C Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1804
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Jefferson, Thomas

Sir
Quincy August 18th 1804

your Letter of July 22d was by some mistake in the post office at Boston sent back as far as Newyork, so that it did not reach me untill the eleventh of this Month. Candour requires of me a reply. your statement respecting Callender, (who was the wretch referd to) and your motives for liberating him, wear a different aspect as explaind by you, from the impression which they had made, not only upon my mind, but upon the minds of all those, whom I ever heard speak upon the subject. with regard to the act under which he was punished, different persons entertain different opinions respecting it. it lies not with me to decide upon its validity. that I presume devolved upon the suprem Judges of the Nation. but I have understood that the power which makes a Law, is alone competent to the repeal. if a Chief–Majestrate can by his will annul a Law, where is the difference between a Republican, and a Despotic Government? That some restraint should be laid upon the asassin, who stabs reputation, all civilized Nations have assented to. in no Country has calumny falshood, and revileing stalked abroad more licentiously, than in this—no political Character has been secure from its attacks, no reputation so fair, as not to be wounded by it, untill truth and falshood lie in one undistinguished heap. if there are no checks to be resorted to in the Laws of the Land, and no reperation to be made to the injured, will not Man become the judge and avenger of his own wrongs, and as in a late instance, the sword and pistol decide the contest? all the Christian and social virtues will be banished the Land, all that makes Life desirable, and softens the ferocious passions of Man will assume a savage deportment, and like Cain of old, every Mans hand will be against his Neighbour. Party spirit is blind Malevolent uncandid, ungenerous, unjust and unforgiving. it is equally so under Federal as under Democratic Banners, yet upon both sides are Characters, who possess honest views, and act from honorable motives, who disdain to be led blindfold, and who tho entertaining different opinions, have for their object the public welfare and happiness. these are the Characters, who abhor calumny and evil speaking, and who will never descend to News paper revileing. and you have done Mr Adams justice in believing him, incapable of such conduct. he has never written a line in any News paper to which his Name has not been affixed, since he was Elected president of the united States. the writers in the public papers, and their employers are alltogether unknown to him
I have seen and known that much of the conduct of a public Ruler, is liable to be misunderstood, and misrepresented. party hatred by its deadly poison blinds the Eyes and envenoms the heart. it is fatal to the integrity of the moral Character. it sees not that wisdom dwells with moderation, and that firmness of conduct is seldom united with outrageous voilence of sentiment. thus blame is too often liberally bestowed upon actions, which if fully understood and candidly judged would merit praise instead of censure. it is only by the general issue of measures producing banefull or benificial effects that they ought to be tested.
you exculpate yourself from any intentional act of unkindness, towards any one. I will freely state that which I referd to in my former Letter, and which I could not avoid considering as personal resentment. soon after my Eldest sons return from Europe, he was appointed by the District Judge to an office into which no political concerns enterd. personally known to you, and possessing all the qualifications, you yourself being Judge, which you had designated for office, as soon as congress gave the appointments to the president you removed him. this looked so particularly pointed, that some of your best Friends in Boston, at that time exprest their regret that you had done so. I must do him the Justice to say, that I never heard an expression from him of censure or disrespect towards you in concequence of it—with pleasure I say that he is not a blind follower of any party.
I have written to you with the freedom and unreserve of former Friendship to which I would gladly return could all causes but mere difference of opinion be removed. I wish to lead a tranquil and retired Life under the administration of the Government, disposed to heal the wounds of contention, to cool the rageing fury of party animosity: to soften the Rugged spirit of resentment, and desirious of seeing my Children and Grand Children, Heirs to that freedom and independence which you and your predecessor, united your efforts to obtain. with these sentiments I reciprocate my sincere wishes for your Health and happiness
Abigail Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 19 August 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dearest friend.
Quincy 19. August 1804.

It is almost a fortnight since I received a line from you; and you have heretofore been so invariably punctual in writing me at least once a week, that for some days I have felt not a little concern lest this interruption of correspondance should have been occasioned by illness either of yourself or of the children—I encourage hopes however as much as possible, and discard as far as within my power the apprehensions which I cannot altogether suppress.
My own health continues as good as usual; the weather has been generally cool the greatest part of the Summer, and this part of the Country has been bless’d with remarkable healthiness.
I have been into Boston only once since I wrote you last; and that was on Wednesday, to attend the funeral of Dr: Howard, the father of the Gentleman whom you know.—I had flattered myself with the expectation of finding a letter from you at the Post-Office; but was disappointed.
We have occasionally had company here in constant and uninterrupted succession through the whole Summer. Mr: Otis’s and Mr: Smith’s eldest daughters are now here—Mrs: Beale is just recovering from a severe and dangerous illness—Shaw is still here; recovered entirely from his rhumatism, but left with symptoms in the breast & side, which have hitherto prevented his return to Boston—My dear Mother has had her health uncommonly, untill within these three days; but is now much indisposed.
The Citizen and his princess are gone from Boston; while on their visit there they were entertained with a Ball at Dorchester, at which the walse was danced; and sundry other incidents occurr’d, which are the subject of conversation.—
The duel yet furnishes matter of controversy at New-York, and of numerous publications, true or false—A writer has appeared with the profess’d design of vindicating Mr: Burr; but after publishing three numbers, under allegation of numerous avocations has ceased in the newspapers, and promises a pamphlet. On the other hand to increase the odium against Burr, Cheetham has made a long story, about silk’s being proof against pistol ball’s, and Burr’s writing to a taylor for a silk Coat, in which he killed his adversary &c—Meantime, Eulogies Orations, and Crape for the deceased, drop like hail, and spread like weeds—All which I take to be Much Ado about Nothing.
Ever affectionately your’s.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 26 August 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

Quincy 26. August 1804.

Another week has past away, without bringing me a line from my dearest friend—The last letter I have received from you was dated the 31st: of last month— I endeavour as much as possible to compose my mind with the hope that some accident at the Post–Office may have detained your letters since that time; but the thought that illness or some disaster must have befallen you or my dear children, is perpetually recurring to my imagination, and has kept me these ten days in a state of constant and increasing uneasiness—God grant that my apprehensions may prove unfounded, and that the assurance of your and their health may soon under your own hand relieve me from that anxiety which so severely preys upon an affectionate heart, in the alarm for the objects of its tenderest love.
Since I wrote you last, the most important event which has occurr’d within the sphere in which I move, is the marriage of Mr: Dexter and Miss Tyrrell, which you will probably be surprized to hear of having been so long delayed—The wedding was on Thursday last, and was attended by a numerous company, of their friends and acquaintance—They had a Ball, in which my brother participated with great Spirit and relish—Were my disposition as much inclined to amusement of this kind, as his, I could not have indulged it at this time—Miss Eliza Smith and Miss Otis, were present, and Miss Susan Storer, and partook of the evening’s gaiety—There were present six couple, who had heretofore lived in the family, and married under the same roof.
My Mother’s health is infirm, but she keeps about the principal part of the time—At this Season she has for many years not escaped some return of an intermittent fever, which she first took in the neighbourhood of New-York.
Coll: Trumbull who is at Boston was here for a few days since, to pay a morning’s visit—But his lady was not with him—I hear it is his intention to make Boston the place of his residence—Coll: Humphreys has set him the example; and lives in the house next to Mr B. Joy; near Mr: H. Otis.
The Season has been with us unusually cool, and for some time past, the earth suffers from the drought.—The leaves are already changing their hue, and dropping from the trees—I hail the approach of Autumn as it draws near the time when I hope again to meet my best beloved, the separation from whom has become heavily irksome to me—This prospect alone supports me under the expectation of an uncomfortable Session of Congress. It is in the bosom of domestic enjoyment alone that I can flatter myself with an alleviation from the thankless task which the public service will impose upon me, and if it please Heaven to restore me to you and our darlings with the blessing of health; all other cares will sit light comparatively speaking upon the mind of your ever affectionate friend.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 28 August 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

Quincy 28. August 1804.

Two days ago, I wrote you my best friend, expressing great anxiety at not having heard from you for almost a month—I therefore now add a line to mention that I received last evening your two letters of the 5th: and 12th: of this month; by the latter of which it appears that you had again been a day or two longer than usual without hearing from me—I have never failed to write you every week, but our Post-Offices somewhere or other are very negligent or careless—It is always most advisable for our own comfort to make allowances of this kind, and I have generally done it.—My concern has been the greater because from your letters I have found the very precarious and infirm health of both our children, which excited alarm, and made the suspension of intelligence from you more distressing—Blessings upon Providence that my apprehensions were groundless—And may we all meet again soon in perfect health.
I am this morning going into Boston where I shall endeavour to procure and enclose to you a $50 bill—I was yesterday at Dr: Warren’s at Jamaica Plains. His Son was there with his wife, who enquired after you—She promises shortly to give another Citizen to the Commonwealth.
Your’s as at all times.
Boston 28. Augt:
Since coming into Town I have received your kind letter of the 14th: and rejoyce with exceeding joy, to learn that both you and the children were so well.—I must close this letter immediately, having no time to write further by this Post; but will reply more at length to your remarks ere long.
Your’s faithfully,

I enclose you a bill for $50.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 August 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My best Friend
Washington Augst. 28th. 1804

I last evening received your very kind letter of the 19th and was much grieved to hear of the indisposition of your Mother I trust however it is nothing more than a slight attack of the complaint which has so many years tormented her and hope in your next to hear of her recovery pray write me soon as I shall be very anxious untill I learn how she is—
Poor Shaw I am sorry his complaint has taken such a turn as I think the one he now labours under, infinitely more to be dreaded than the fever which he escaped—
It is singular that our letters should so frequently be detained I cannot possibly account for it I have been regular in writing once a week and sometimes oftener I believe you have never once broken through your rule unless to lengthen the time between your letters I can easily conceive your anxiety from what I suffer’d myself the Children I thank God are pretty well John has three more double teeth nearly through which renders him a little fractious he eats like a little wolf and begins to gain flesh the poor little thing is a sight with the Prickly heat it is thought very healthy—
I understand Mrs. Whitcomb expects to be confined shortly tell her when you see her I am very angry with her for not writing Patty wrote this news to Eliza I had no suspicion of it before is Mrs. Quincy confined yet Mrs. Hellen looks lovely she is in this situation one of the prettiest Women I ever saw we expect the little stranger very shortly I do not think she can possibly go till October—
We were out riding a few evenings since Mr. & Mrs. H. myself, and the Children when we were overtaken by the most tremendous thunder gust I ever witnessed the lightning struck a house very near us killed a Boy threw down six men who were standing in the street and shatter’d the house very much I was extremely alarmed but we reached home in perfect safety—
I see by the papers that the d Louisiana business has turn’d out exactly as expected the part of the Marines who were sent there are very much dissatisfied and very troublesome and all who went to make fortunes are most woefully disappointed as they find it more necessary to take one than possible to make one
General D and family are gone home they find eight thousand dollars a year too little and Mrs D. and daughter do not return to save the expense of houserent—
Mrs. Law has given up her child and is entirely separatd from her husband and is to be divorced as soon as possible he takes the Child to England and has given her all the fortune left her by General Washington which amounted to Sixty thousand dollars and allows her 15 fifteen hundred from his own estate in this Country for which he has bound himself in such a way it is said it will be his ruin—
Adieu my best beloved remember me affectionately to your friends and be assured of the sincere and ardent affection of your wife
L. C. Adams
P.S. Give the enclosed paper to Mrs. Whitcomb as soon as you can


Title: From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 29 August 1804
From: Cushing, Hannah Phillips
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Madam
Scituate August the 29th. 1804.

I had flattered myself that before this time we should have had the pleasure of a visit from you, & Miss Smith. It is some time since we have heard one word from Quincy. Be so good as to write & say when it is probable that our wishes may be realized in seeing you. Mrs Sumner left us last Friday; I requested her to call on you. I have a piece of information to give which nearly respects myself; we are like to lose Mrs Parsons, if giving her to a good man can properly be so called. In a few weeks She is to be married to Major Jackson of Plymouth—a person of an unblemished reputation, agreeable manners & handsome property. We make a great sacrifice in parting with her; but we do it in a full belief that it will contribute to her happiness. The distance is short & the place gave birth to our blessed Mother. I have—long considered you, my dear Madam, as one of my best friends; which is the only apology I can offer for troubleing you with my past occurrances of my family. When did you hear from Mrs Smith Mrs Adams Mrs Cranch? I hope they were all well. How shall we be able to get along since H—— is dead? & some say died as a Fool dieth. Indeed I wish much to see, & converse with you. As the Male comes here but once a week, a letter put in your office on Mony, will reach us on Wedy morg. We should be gratified in seeing any one of your family here. Mr & Mrs Otis disappointed us in not coming & passing a night on their return from Plymouth. Mr Cushing enjoys good health this summer. He unites with me in best respects to the President. With much esteem I subscribe / your Friend.

H Cushing


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 1 September 1804
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Cushing, Hannah Phillips

my dear Madam
Quincy Sepbr 1 1804

I received your very friendly Letter yesterday and thank you for your communication which I assure you gave me heartfelt pleasure. I only have to regret that a friend of mine did not close with the advise I gave him at the time when he perhaps might have been successfull. tho he listned to me with much attention, and was Sorry he did not know the Lady, I fancy he had made some overtures to the one, who after he considerd all preliminaries as Setled, saw fit to change her mind!  and he poor Man must remain upon the list of solitary & forlorn Batchelors, possesst of a social disposition and as Benevolent a Heart as ever warmed a humane Bosom—I congratulate Major Jackson tho I have not the pleasure of knowing him, in the prospect of obtaining a Lady whom I consider worthy of one of the best of husbands. Such may he prove, and may they be mutually blessed together
You Madam know how to absorb every selfish wish passion in the more enlarged and generous System of wishing and doing good to others, and tho having lived together with such a perfect cordiality, receiving and communicating happiness you must feel a partial privation—I think I know enough of your disposition to rejoice with you in the present prospect, that true real merrit may be rewarded meet with its reward—
“You know I have always been a true friend to Matrimony. Upon this principle I last week parted with my most beloved domestic who was to me as a child in Sickness and in Health and who had lived 14 years with me. At the wedding amongst other Guests were six couple who had lived with me during her residence with me, all of whom had been married from me in that period, all but one married in my family. This I believe is rather a Singular instance—My Master role would have been double if I had taken in all those who had married with & from me since I became a housekeeper.—
I thank you for your kind invitation, and have had it in contemplation through the Summer to make you a visit. I do not wholy relinquish it, but on the next week I propose making a visit to my Sister at Atkinson where I have not been for three years. I have lately been more unwell and feeble than I have through the summer and lost much flesh. The Dr. advises—nay insists upon my going from home, laying asside care and trying to recruit When I return, which will be in a week—I will hope to visit you before you take your annual flight. If I should be able to accomplish my wish I will write and inform you when—
Altho I do not wear crape I rejoice not in the fall of a Man who possest talents to & was capable of rendering himself highly serviceable to the Country—He had merrited their praise and their gratitude—God only knows whether it was in Mercy or in judgement that he is taken away—but I believe the same sun will rise as bright and benign and diffuse its Blessing as equally now as before—I believe the Seasons will per form their annual round tho Hamilton Sleeps in the grave and that should pressing occasion call for Heroes & Statesmen & patriots, we shall find them springing into Life and activity as we have before—there is more danger to our Country from the divisions and parties into which it is split, and the innovations which are made upon the constitution, than from the death of any one Man however Brilliant his tallents or distinguishd his abilities—I hope after assumeing to ourselves the Epithet of most Enlightned Country, our it will not be intirely shorn of its banks beams because one Star has fallen Surely we must have had very small pretentions if shroweded with darkness visible, and coverd over with Gloom and despair we Sink under the weighty fall of one Man If there was much to praise—their was also much to pardon and forgive Why then Idolize a man, who showd on many occasions that he was a frail weak man subdued by his passions, against his solemn vows and obligations, that he was a vain ambitious Man aspiring to Govern where it was his duty to submit, that he dareingly insulted the Authority whose station he knew forbid him to reply or Retaliate— Why deceive the public and give that which is more than due, and leave nothing to bestow upon fairer and purer Characters? but he was the Idol of a party, a party who have injured their cause and their Country more than Hamilton ever served it. By some these opinions would be calld uncandid and resentfull—I am willing to allow him all he deserved, but you Madam know that my opinion is founded upon facts, and has truth for its basis.
I rejoice to learn that my good Friend the judge enjoys Health. Long may he be continued a blessing to his Country and to all his connections, and may health and prosperity attend you my dear Madam is the Sincere wish of your affectionate / Friend

Abigail Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 16 September 1804
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

Quincy 16. September 1804.

I hope the head-ache with which you were afflicted at the time when you wrote me your letter—of the 4th: which I have received, did not outlast that day, and that it left you ever since to enjoy good health and Spirits—Mine are at present as good as my situation will permit, and excepting the temporary inconveniences arising from too free a use of fruit, on the ripening of the peaches, have been uninterrupted.
My Mother and brother returned from Atkinson last Tuesday—Since which, the former has been one or two days very unwell, but has again so far recovered as to be about the house.
On Friday, I went into Boston, with my brother, and we dined with Mr: W. Sullivan—But we did not see his Lady—She has been for several weeks at Nahant, with her child, for the benefits of the Sea Bath—I believe however they have little expectation, that it will live to grow up.
At Mr: Sullivan’s we met Mr: Palaeske, who was formerly the Prussian Consul in this Country—You will remember to have seen him at Berlin the Summer before we came home—He lives at Philadelphia, and is here with his wife, the quaker lass, on a tour of Summer travel.
Mr T. C. Amory, and Mr: J. T. Sargent were also at Mr: Sullivan’s, where we saw a handsome miniature picture of Miss Swan, sent from Paris—Very well painted, but by the strangest of all failures, for a french Painter, not so beautiful as the Original—I understand they purpose to return to this Country next Spring, and the report prevails that the affair between Sargent & Miss Swan still subsists, and will be brought to its proper conclusion on her return.
I am sorry, very sorry indeed to learn the calamity which has befallen Mr: Merry—of which I had not heard a word untill the receipt of your letter—The Lady’s situation must indeed be distressing; but she has probably a degree of Spirit and Capacity which will support her under it—For him and his family, it is still fortunate that he is in the service of a Government, which will not impeach him for high crimes and misdemeanors, in losing his Senses.
By a paragraph in the newspapers, it appears that Madame Jerome has actually sailed, or at least made an attempt to sail, for France, without her husband, and under the safe-conduct of Genl: Armstrong—See what the predictions of the world always come to—Thousands of people have foretold that Jerome would go to France without the Princess, and after all we find it end in the Princess’s going to France without Jerome—It appears not fully ascertained, whether she succeeded in getting to the Ship, or whether she did not miss it, as so many other great proposals miss it, by being an hour too late—We shall doubtless soon be informed—The person most to be pitied, if she did not succeed, in her attempt, must, I think, be Armstrong.
Mr: Short is on a visit at Boston, and came out here yesterday morning, with Coll: Humphreys—The latter appears to enjoy himself very well; though discarded from the pomp of Courts and the pageantry of greatness—He has lately collected and published a volume of his miscellaneous works. Not like the oeuvres melées de Madame du Chatelet; his labours are of a different kind. His picture, a very good likeness, flourishes before the title page—His writings are prefaced by numerous commendatory poems and prosings, and his dedications are all to kings or Prince Regent’s to say the least—In this fastidious Country, these things all contribute to sharpen the scalping knifes of criticism; but after all, his poems are some of the best that ever have been written in this Country—The excellency of his character too ought to soften down the temper most inclined to censure; for at least if it be impossible to say of him that  not sweeter, his own Homer sings, there can be no question but the other line  Yet is his life the more endearing song is perfectly applicable to him.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 23 September 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My best friend
Washington Septbr. 23d 1804

I recieved last night your charming letter of the 16 and was much distressed to learn that your mother had again been unwell the weather here is quite cold winthin this few days and we all seem to revive I hope e’re this you have had a change as favorable and that you may all soon enjoy the blessing of health—
I was so unwell when I last wrote I scarcely answer’d any part of your letter assure yourself it did not proceed from indifference or want of proper attention to your concerns but I was so completely exhausted by illness & loss of blood (for Weams was under the necessity of taking above a pint) that my spirits seem’d to fail me entirely and I lost all power of exertion—I am sincerely rejoiced to hear that you have rented your house so well I never could endure the idea of your parting with it you have now so little property in Boston and it appears to me so much more valuable than any other I think it would be wrong to part with it while there is a possibility of retaining it the situation is such that there is a prospect of its encreasing in value every year and—a few years hence it may not be so easy to acquire property in Boston when perhaps you may stand in need of it I shall never cease to regret the house in Franklyn Place & most sorely our poor old house in Hanover St as I much question ever being mistress of one so comfortable again old & much as it wanted repair however these things can’t be help’d and as you say “whatever is is right.”
The Spanish Minister & his Lady are down here they say upon business of importance the President returns on Tuesday to meet him I understand he intended staying three weeks longer we have nobody here at present but Mr. Galatin he has return’d about a week
Mr. Sheldon was here a few days since he has been on a visit in Connecticut the greatest part of the Summer—
I understand that the affairs in Louisianna occasion the greatest inquietude & Mr. Livingston is become an object of terror although his conduct has been so disgraceful he has left such security it is not in their power to seize him and he is likely to prove so troublesome they are placed in a very disagreeable predicament.
I wrote you that the Marines were very much dissatisfied I understand they are station’d in a little town at some distance from New Orleans and almost entirely excluded from society which has very much disappointed them as they expected to have enter’d into all the dissipations of New Orleans and perhaps of forming connections with the natives which might not only have proved agreeable but profitable—
I am extremely sorry to hear that Mrs Sullivans Child is so ill I hope however she will be more fortunate than she you seems to ex anticipate—I thank God ours are both well and I fondly flatter myself they will continue so our poor little John has had so many drawbacks I believe he will talk before he walks we must not be impatient my belov’d friend but return thanks to the father of all mercies for sparing him to our prayers—I intend sending George to School the beginning of next Month—
Adieu my best friend six long weeks must yet elapse e’re we meet if you will permit me and write what time you expect to be there I will meet you in Baltimore it would indeed afford me the greatest pleasure as it shorten the period of absence one day and after such an absence each day is a year to your impatient but fondly attached
L C Adams
P.S. I am anxious to know if Mrs. Whitcomb recieved the letters I wrote her by the post and if you recieved a paper enclosed with your letter directed to her if you did I hope you deliver’d it soon I fear you will think me extravagant but I am in such want of linnen &cc. I must thank you for some money your mother will tell you when a Woman wants these sort of things how much it takes I have bought none since I left Leipsic


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 October 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

My best friend
Washington Octbr: 1st 1804

Your three last letters have arrived at the promised time I am concern’d to learn that mine have fail’d however as the news they contain’d was not of the most pleasing nature I am should be grateful for their detention as in all probabily you will recieve three of them by the same opportunity which will be the means of saving you from a state of extreme anxiety and Solicitude—
I am excessively provoked at Mr. Dickens’s impertinence though it has not excited the smallest degree of astonishment in me as I have constantly expected to see such a publication any person who could afford to purchace the Port Folio I presume might have done the same thing the fault certainly orriginated with your Brother and had Mr. Dickins. simply published the letters without adding prefixing your name to them I imagine he might have passed uncensored this opinion is perhaps erronious being totally unequal incapable of forming a judgement the circumstance of those passages being reprinted is certainly disagreable but I venture to assert that they have long since been perused by the persons to whom they were most likely to prove painful and he is not a man likely to whose sensibility will suffer considerably from any thing of this nature these letters have already occasion’d you a sufficient anxiety and I sincerely hope you will not permit your mind to upon dwell upon this subject but pass it over with that philosophical indifference on which I know you pique yourself—
I am sorry you have not made the proposed alterations in the house too much inured to such disappointments to feel them very sensibly I make no doubt I shall live as happily in the house as it stands at present as I should if it were three times as large my whole and sole desire at this moment is to see and embrace you and untill this dearest wish is gratified every thing else is to me indifferent you will find me much alter’d in person Women at my age rarely improve and I in addition have lost one of my front teeth however as I never could boast great personal charms as no alteration change can ever take place in my affections I flatter myself yours will never be alienated and that the remaining years of our lives may be productive of encrease of happiness and esteem—
I omitted to offer you & Mr. Boylston congratulations when you gain’d so favorable a judgement I offer them now & with great sincerity knowing how much you interest yourself in affairs of your clients and the extreme pleasure you feel when your exertions prove successful such a service should be handsomely rewarded—
Adieu my best beloved friend I fondly anticipate the period of your return and hail each coming day Our beloved little ones are well George talks of Papa incessantly though he has never forgiven you for your desertion John calls every body papa he sees poor little fellow he was too young when you left us to remember you I am very impatient to hear from you as I enclosed a paper to you for Mrs. Whitcomb which I trust she has recieved but which you do not mention in your last
I have been order’d to ride on horseback and have been out twice upon a hired horse but Mr. Hellen does not like my venturing upon a common hack and has been looking out for a little poney for me he has seen one little thing that would answer very well at fifty five dollars which he thinks very cheap it is only four years old he says I ride very well I believe I shall take it as Mr. H. says he is almost sure he could get the same money for him if I wished to sell him
Farewell make my best wishes acceptable to your friends and believe me unalterably yours
L C Adams
P.S. I am ashamed to send this scrawl It is not improbable you may be at a wedding this Winter but you must  guess whose.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 October 1804
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

Washington Octbr. 7th 1804

More fotunate than yourself my beloved friend I last night received your very kind though somewhat too philosophical letter when we are distant and a beloved & suffering object is not constantly before our eyes imploring for relief we find it impossible to afford it is easy to advise, reason has full power to act and we are not exposed to those dreadful alarms excited by every change & produced by excessive tenderness. I would it were possible for me to reap advantage from your advice but you know I cannot yet my beloved friend should it please the Almighty to inflict on us so severe a punishment to that God in whom I put my whole trust I look for strength and support and he will in his great mercy enable me to bear such a dreadful calamity with fortitude and resignation
My Dear Sister is safe in her Bed and has a fine large Boy it was Born yesterday Morning after an illness of ten hours poor Nancy was in so delicate a state of health we were apprehensive it might terminate unhappily either to herself or child but she is now as well as can be expected and I make no doubt will soon regain her strength for the little Gentleman he is as strong as George was and three times as large—
Mr. Hellen requests Mr. Shaw or yourself will purchace a cask of the best Sherry wine and send it on by the first Vessel for which Mr. H says you may draw on him at sight or he will pay you here the Alert was advertized to sail three weeks since and there is a Vessel called the Hope which that trades between George Town and Boston I know you are not fond of trouble and your constant residence at Quincy prevents your learning of frequent opportunities Mr. Hellen has been uniformly polite and affectionate to me and mine during my residence here I therefore make it my particular request that you will attend to this commission I know little of the world but it appears to me that to pass our lives in comfort it is necessary to reflect that we are not the only beings in it and that attentions which are in themselves trifling sometimes prove of more consequence than might be expected in the acquirement of friends.
I am very solicitous about a letter I enclosed to you for Mrs. Whitcomb and I sent her a couple of letters by the Post which I wish you to mention to her—
Adieu my best & most esteemed friend the time approaches fast which will reunite us yet I cannot help feeling some degree of terror lest some unforeseen circumstance should occur to delay your return and prevent my enjoying the extreme felicity of clasping you to a heart devoted entirely to you
L. C. Adams
P.S. Mr. Hellen has purchaced the horse for me at fifty three Dollars


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 15 October 1804
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Mrs Adams
Quincy october 15 1804

I congratulate you my dear Louissa, that our loss is to be your gain. mr Adams leaves us on tuesday for washington, where I hope he will arrive in safety, and have a joyfull meeting with his family. I know from frequent experience how painfull it is to be thus seperated—I hope when he returns next Spring that you will be able to come with him, and that we may make Quincy an agreable residence to you—I am happy to learn that you have enjoyed so much health since you left us. I hope you will grow firmer as you grow older, and get more ennured to the climate. How is your good Mamma and all your Sisters? not forgetting Thomas your Brother. George has grown a Stout Boy I presume I have sent him some socks to keep his feet warm this winter—and a peice of calico for a slip for John—not for the value of these things, but merely as a remembrance from their Grandmamma—
I have had frequent ill turns this Summer and fall, and am very thin, but hope I shall be firmer as the winter approaches—you must let me hear from you as often as you can this winter. I know you have been very good through the Summer in writing every week to mr Adams, by which means I have heard from you, and the children. my Love to Caroline / your affectionate Mother
Abigail Adams