Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 January 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Brother.
Washington 13 Decemb Jany: 1807

I received a few days since your favour of the 28th. ulto: with the very interesting account of Selfridge’s trial—A subject upon which there has been much curiosity here; though we had heard nothing of the trial except the short paragraphs in the newspapers.—It has confirmed me in an opinion which I have long since entertained, that for our real security, in the protection of person, property, and fame, whenever faction takes a part in the course of judicial trials, we have infinitely stronger reason to depend upon the purity of Juries, than upon the firmness of Judges. I have scarcely known an instance for years, when Judges have maintained their Independence of Spirit on such occasions—The Pennsylvania Judges flinched on Dannie’s trial.—That Parker should flinch, sitting alone does not at all surprise me, but if you did not mistake his words—if he did put together such syllables as “man-slaughter, at least,” in his charge to that Jury, I shall never consider any-thing that I have dear the more secure, for his holding a seat among the Judges of the Land—
I have constantly sent you the documents as they issue from the press; but hitherto we have had the drowsiest Session that I have known since I have been in Congress—The Burr conspiracy, the object of which nobody yet seems to understand, is the only thing which appears to agitate our political nerves—You will have seen that it has brought out some precious confessions in Kentuckey—One Judge it seems has been in the constant habit of receiving a pension of $2000 from Spain; and another, according to the phrase of Junius only not accepted a similar bounty. We are receiving admirable comments upon our doctrines of expatriation, and renouncing allegiance and such—In due time we shall understand the subject to perfection—
The first debate we have had this Session, has been upon a bill to relieve George Little from a sentence of the Supreme Court loading him with ten thousand & some hundred dollars costs and damages for obeying his Instructions—That same Supreme Court has given some very strange decisions, of which this is one—The bill fought hard through the House of Representatives; but has pass’d to the third reading here, by large majority—I think it will finally pass without further difficulty.
We have this day a bill reported by a Committee, for raising another Regiment of troops; but it is still doubtful whether it will pass.
If my little John is still with you, give him his Papa’s love, and tell him I am glad to hear he is a good boy, and he must be so till his Uncle can write it without his word only for it.
The Attorney General of the U.S. Breckenridge is dead—And we hear there is to be a vacancy of the War Department—But we are not informed yet, by whom the offices are to be filled.
The House of Representatives are labouring with convulsive kicks against the Common Law—One Member is for impeaching all Judges who practice on common Law Principles—Another is for indefinite suspension of Habeas Corpus privilege—A third is upon judicial trials in a criminal case for throwing the burden of proof, upon the defendant, whenever suspicion is proved against him—We have had five negro-bills as they are called on the carpet, and seem not so far advanced as we were the first week in the Session—The proposition to appoint an Official Bill-drawer, to shorten useless discussion is not approved.
We are well; excepting a child of Mr. Boyd, who appears to me afflicted exactly as your daughter was when she was about two months old—I have seen no part of Mr: Cranch’s family except himself since I came here—Neither have I seen Mrs. Quincy—but they are all well. We live more out of each other’s way than ever.
Best love and duty to all of your fire-side—and ever remaining your’s
J. Q. Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 14 January 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louisa.
Washington 14. Jany: 1807.

The last Letter I have received from you was that of the 1st: instt: which I answered last week—I then mentioned to you that I had written some lines to Mrs: Hellen, in consequence of your observations in a preceding letter—and that I would send you a copy of them—They are accordingly now enclosed—Of their merit or demerit, a part belongs to yourself, as they were instigated by your remarks; and with a view to shew some of that attention which I am sensible is too often neglected by me—It is indeed an attention in my own way; and I know not whether it is of a such a nature as you alluded to—However I hope it will give you satisfaction, as Mrs: Hellen was pleased with it.
Saturday Evening, I was with your Mamma and Sisters at a large party at Mr: Madison’s. There was a supper, at a small table in one of the lower Rooms, to which the company successively retired by turns in portions sufficient to fill it—The supper I heard was very good; for I was not let in to the secret, untill after we got home—Upon which your Sisters enjoyed a good laugh, at my expence.
Sunday, we dined at Mr: Boyd’s; whose child I wish I could say was better—We are all very uneasy for it; and it appears to me to be in a situation very similar to that of my brother’s child, as you remember it was for three months after it was born, before it took the Dysentary. It is attended by Dr Weems, and one Mrs: Lytle a Quaker woman in high repute as a doctress for children—I believe you know quite as much on the subject as she does—The child seems to be in constant pain—In the Night time particularly, and has kept them up now many Nights—Mrs: Boyd herself suffers much in her health, by the fatigue and anxiety she endures—I am suspicious that the child has not sufficient sustenance, and wants feeding—This they are very reluctant at believing, and have not hitherto given it any other subsistence—I still hope the child will do well, but am much concerned for it.
We have hitherto had no business to occasion debate; but the House of Representatives have again pass’d a bill for a bridge over the Potowmac; which is now before the Senate, and has already been two or three times postponed—The parties on both sides are warmer than they have ever been before, and I expect we shall have a very animated discussion of the question—The time now fixed for it is next Monday. The General Assembly of Maryland have pass’d a Resolution instructing their Senators to use their influence against it; and Mr: Giles, who is here takes a very strong interest against it—But Mr: Bayard and Mr: White are quite as zealous in its favour; and as far as I can judge the opinions in Senate are very equally divided—The probability seems to me that the bill will pass—
This day there is a subscription dinner given at Stelle’s to Captain Lewis, of which and of its toasts I suppose the newspapers will give account—I shall not be present, though I think Captain Lewis deserves much more than a dinner—Indeed I have no opinion of this species of payment for public services—
Kiss my dear boys for me, and believe me ever affectionately yours

J. Q. Adams Enclosure

10 Jany: 1807

To Mrs: Hellen. on the 19. Septr: 1803. and 19. Decr: 1806.
Sure, to the mansions of the blest
When Infant Innocence ascends,
Some Angel, brighter than the rest
The spotless Spirit’s flight attends.
On wings of ecstasy they rise
Beyond where worlds material roll;
Till some fair Sister of the Skies
Receives the unpolluted Soul.
There, at th’Almighty father’s hand,
Nearest the throne of living light,
The choirs of Infant Seraphs stand,
And dazzling shine, where all are bright.
Chain’d for a dreary length of years
Down to these Elements below,
Some stain, the sky-born Spirit bears,
Contracted from this world of woe.
That inextinguishable beam,
With dust united at our birth,
Sheds a more dim, discolour’d gleam,
The more it lingers upon Earth.
Clos’d in this dark abode of clay
The stream of glory faintly burns;
Nor unobscur’d the lucid ray
To its own native fount returns.
But when the Lord of mortal breath
Decrees his bounty to resume,
And points the silent shaft of Death,
Which speeds an Infant to the tomb—
No Passion fierce—no low desire
Has quench’d the radiance of the flame—
Back to its God, the living fire
Reverts, unclouded as it came—
Oh! Nancy! be that solace thine:
Let Hope her healing charm impart;
And soothe, with melodies divine,
The Anguish of a Mother’s Heart.
Oh! think, the darlings of thy love,
Divested of this earthly clod;
Amid unnumber’d Saints above,
Bask in the bosom of their God.
Of their short pilgrimage on Earth,
Still tender images remain—
Still, still they bless thee for their birth,
Still, filial Gratitude retain.
The days of pain, the Nights of Care
The bosom’s agonizing strife
The pangs which thou for them didst bear,
No!—they forget them not with life.
Scarce could their germing thoughts conceive
While in this vale of tears they dwelt—
Scarce their fond Sympathy relieve
The suffrance thou for them hast felt.
But there—the soul’s perennial flower
Expands in never-fading bloom;
Spurns at the Grave’s poor transient hour,
And shoots immortal from the tomb.
No weak, unform’d idea there,
Toils—the mere promise of a Mind—
The tide of Intellect flows clear,
Strong, full, unchanging and refin’d.
Each anxious care, each rending sigh
That wrung for them the Parents Breast,
Dwells on remembrance in the sky,
Amid the raptures of the blest.
O’er thee, with looks of love they bend.
For thee the Lord of life implore;
And oft from sainted bliss descend,
Thy wounded quiet to restore.
Oft in the stillness of the Night
They smooth the pillow for thy bed:
Oft till the Morn’s returning light,
Still watchful hover o’er thy head.
Hark! in such strains as Saints employ,
They whisper to thy bosom, Peace:
Calm the perturbed heart to joy,
And bid the streaming Sorrow cease.
There dry henceforth the bitter tear—
Their part and thine inverted see!—
Thou wert their guardian Angel, here,
They guardian Angels now to thee.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 January 1807
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

Boston Jany. 16th. 1807

Your letter of the 6th and the enclosures, arrived safe last evening. I was a little surprized at your appearing so angry at the observations made in my letter. I merely meant to insinuate that by now & then addressing her particularly in conversation, and leading her to partake of it, she would feel herself highly flatter’d. this my testy friend was all I required, and you must really think me mad, if you supposed that by little attentions, I could possibly think of Chesterfieldian graces. any one really possessing them, would laugh at the Idea. be good humour’d my friend, and dont imagine, that any thing has been written to me on the subject. on the contrary, all the letters are filled with your praises, but enough on this (to you) very disagreeable subject—
Last night the Columbian Museum, was destroyed by fire, they had been commemorating the last misfortune, which took place three years ago, and owing to some accidental circumstance it caught fire. It is the first serious alarm this Winter I hope it will be the last.
I supp’d at Dr Howards a few nights since where I met all the Sargent Family the old Lady spoke very highly of you and said she regretted that circumstances had arisen to check your former intimacy; however to use her own words, (do not think me vain,) she was so fascinated with me, that she should avail herself of that evening introduction, and take the earliest opportunity, to visit me. (dont laugh mon Ami.) Harry is going to be married immediately to little Hannah Wells. and I suspect Daniel who by the by looks very old, is to be married shortly, to Harriet Frazer, this I do not know positively, but Mrs. Sargent told me two of her Sons would shortly lead their young Brides to the alter—She tells me that Mrs. Gardner is her Sister, who resides in your house, that they do not wish to move from your house, but that owing to a gentleman, having purchaced a house which is the receptacle of every vice, she is under the necessity of changing her situation. they are in hopes you will undertake to remove this nuissance, it will not be a very agreeable undertaking—
George is still at Quincy with his Grand Mamma, and much better, John is with me, very well. he has nearly forgotten the little french he had acquired, but as you will take him as soon as you return, he will then acquire it very rappidly, I have no doubt—
The Thermometer was below five the day before yesterday, and rose thirty degrees yesterday, these violent changes cannot be good I am sure. your friends are all well. Joe Hall has been much alarm’d, by a complaint in his lip, which has been for some time thought of a cancerous nature. it is at length pronounced not to be so to the great relief of his mind—
Adieu, Heaven bless you make the best of the dreadful evils under which you labour and remember you took me for better for worse and if you have so much the worst of the bargain I am sorry for it I have vainly wished to render you happy and it is still and ever will be the most ardent wish of your really affectionate wife
L. C. Adams
P.S. I never knew what Harriet had called her Child till last night the letter you wrote proves that the name is appropriate to the character you gave him I have just heard that seven men lost their lives by the falling of the wall of the Museum during the fire—
Papa John sends his duty says he is a very good Boy
I see by the Papers the Attorney General is dead—Write me who is to have his place—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 19 January 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louisa.
Washington 19. Jany: 1807.

Since I wrote you, which was last Thursday, I have received three letters from you, which call for a particular Answer—I must however defer it untill to-morrow; for at this time we are in the midst of a debate on the Bridge question; to which I must give all my attention—The weather too is so cold that I am scarcely able to write in my seat—My thermometer stood this morning at 6. degrees.
I am distress’d to learn that you have so much reason to be dissatisfied with your present situation—That they should supply you so penuriously is insupportable—I would recommend it to you, if Mr: G. will not remedy this cause of complaint, to change your lodgings—I presume however that if you speak to him he will take care that you shall be sufficiently provided—
My anxiety on account of George was perhaps excessive; but you know how we feel on knowing a child far distant from us, to be ill; and you will conceive how much that alarm was aggravated by the calamity to which I had been so recent a witness—I still feel much concerned for him, although the account you give of him in your last Letters has abated some of my anxiety. I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing under your hand that both he and yourself, and John and Caroline are all well; being ever faithfully your’s

John Quincy Adams.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 21 January 1807
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

Boston Jany. 21st. 1807

How shall I express my gratitude, my thanks, my admiration, of your very beautiful lines, my best beloved friend you have more than answerd my every wish and evidently proved how little trouble it costs you to gain the hearts of all those you wish to please you may smile mon ami but a fond and tender Mother of every human being who possesses real sensibility must feel affection for a man whose heart so truly sympathizes in the afflictions of his fellow creatures; and who can thus delicately offer consolation from the only source from whence it can be found my tears flow every time I peruse them & my heart is filled with sensations utterly impossible to express, but your heart will understand what I cannot describe—
Caroline has had a letter from Buchanon he has not actually offer’d himself but made a sort of insinuation that he shall be happy to meet with an opportunity to do so when they meet should not some favor’d Bostonian become sensible of her worth before that time and seize the invaluable prize. do not mention the circumstance to the family as they would only laugh at her & perhaps disconcert her quite on such subjects she is very  tenacious—
I. P. Davies who is at Washington it is here reported is going to be married to Miss Susan Jackson of Philadelphia who passed the Summer at Mrs. Quincy’s to the astonishment of all the World Professor Ware likewise finds it impossible to live any longer without a Bib and is going to marry the Widow Lincoln poor Miss Bose—
There has been a Pew advertized to be sold at Mr. Emmerson’s for some time had you not better commission Shaw to purchase it if reasonable the meeting house at Cambridge-port is now open Mr. Davenport I suppose will give up the Pew he has at Thatchers.—
I understand they are growing quite gay at Quincy & have established a Dancing subscription Assembly Your Brother is the leading man in the business George is still there and very well I tremble for the french John is at home and always asking when march will come he says he wants to see papa as he used always, to keep the best Apples for him at Quincy and he was a very good Papa—since his return from Quincy it has been impossible to prevail on him to go to school your mother says it is of no consequence and you know I am too much inclined to agree with her in opinion—
Adieu my most sincerely loved friend, I fear I caused you some uneasiness, in what I said concerning our living, I have spoken to Mr. Gulliver and we now go on very well therefore I beg you will not think any thing about it—
That every blessing may await you is the ardent prayer of your tenderly affectionate though I fear undeserving Wife

 L. C. AdamsI am much distressed at the indispostion of Harriets Child and still more at their again employing two peuple physicians I mean to attend tell her the best thing is to change the air take it to Nancy’s for a little while and feed it in very small quantities upon very light food and to wrap it well up in Flannel and not suffer its feet to be exposed to the cold air tell her that your Sister’s child was wash’d from head to foot in hot brandy and a broad flannel steep’d in the same kept round its body. It must be fresh dip’d twice a day. Tell her I have seen the good effects of this otherwise I would not recommend it your Sister child was fed on Arrah root with a little magnesin stir’d into it once a day while its Bowels were weak give my affectionate love to all and compliments to Mr. Tracy, who is I hope recover’d


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 26 January 1807
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

Boston Jany. 26 1806  1807

I have not recieved a line from  friend since you enclosed your very beautiful  whom I permitted to read them pleaded so fervently for permission to publish them in his Anthology I could not withstand his entreaty and suffer’d him to have them, you will I am sure if this is a fault on my part excuse it for the goodness of the motive
The Children are well, John has been to school to day. I ran down to meet him when he return’d, he told me he must go again in the afternoon there were such a fine parcel of pretty Girls there to use his own words George is still at Quincy and goes to the Town school he told Dr: Welsh who went down a few days since that his master did not know what to make of him he believed he was too clever for him
Adieu God bless you I am well only almost congeal’d, the Thermometer has been 12 degrees below nought Yours affectionate
L. C. Adams


Title: To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 27 January 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, John

My dear Sir
Washington 27. Jany: 1807.

I received nearly ten days since your very kind letter, which has hitherto remained unanswered owing to the very sudden transition we made, from almost total idleness, to an excessive press of business—This transition was introduced by a question upon the building of a bridge, which has already made five days of debate, and upon which the question is not yet finally taken—Besides this Mr: Burr, and his conspiracy have begun to occupy our attention—Last Friday (23d.) the Senate with closed doors pass’d an Act, suspending in certain cases the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus—The business was finished in one day; with a slight opposition from Mr: Bayard, who voted alone against the Bill; but did not use his privilege of forbidding the reading of the bill three times on the same day—The House of Representatives adjourned over, untill Monday, before we had finished. Yesterday morning the message and the Bill were sent to them in confidence—They immediately opened their doors, and almost unanimously rejected the Bill at the first reading—I have enclosed to you the papers from the President upon which the Senate acted—Bollman and Swartwout who were arrested by General Wilkinson are now here, and it seems questionable what can be done with them—The general subject is yet mysterious, but there is a concurrence of testimony establishing facts more important, as they respect the operation of our Institutions, and the future prospects of this Country than most of us appear to be aware of.
Those two Subjects and the projects for prohibiting the importation of Slaves into the United States after 1. Jany: next exclusively engross our attention—We have in the two houses had seven different printed bills for this purpose; and at length we have pass’d a bill in Senate which has this day gone to the House of Representatives.
30. January
The part I have taken in the business of the last three days, and the important transactions now going on in the Circuit Court here, have prevented me from finishing this Letter—I enclose you a newspaper in which you will find the proceedings hitherto on the singular cases of Bollman and Swartwout; which is still under argument; by the District Attorney and present attorney General, on a motion for their committment on a charge of Treason—and by the late Attorney General, Mr: Charles Lee, and a young Mr: Key, for the prisoners.—They are now before the Court, and excite such universal curiosity that we are scarcely able here to form a quorum to do business and the House of Representatives actually adjourned this morning for want of a quorum.
We were almost without public business during the first six weeks of the Session, and I employed the leisure time principally to prepare for my labours of the ensuing Spring—I have also continued my application to the Greek; and have read through the Odyssey in the original—I selected this because I have it in a single small volume with a latin version at the side, but without a commentary—There is no great plenty of Greek Books here—I found so long as the mind was unagitated by other subjects of meditation, and the feelings in a state of tranquility, I could read and understand Homer much better than I can since the public business has taken hold of me—I now read without understanding much.
I have been again taken off from the possibility of finishing my letter by a debate which I have been obliged to support for the whole of this day, on a bill of little importance, but which I happened to Report—Upon such Bills I have never had the good fortune to escape hard pushing and struggling; but we pass’d half a dozen other bills, without raising half an hour’s discussion—
It is now almost 4—The Circuit Court have committed Bollman and Swartwout, without bail or mainprize—Judge Cranch dissenting.
Ever faithfully your Son.
John Quincy Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 January 1807
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
Quincy Jan’ry 29 1807

We have had in the Week past the coldest Weather that has been through the winter, yet we have not had Snow enough through the Season to cover the ground. I expet Febry and March will pour upon us the whole quantity which the cold must have engenderd through the Winter. The Season has been very healthy. few cold’s or coughs. George after spending a fortnight with me and getting quite rid of his cough, growing very hearty, returnd to Town the day before yesterday. If I could have sent him to School I would not have let him gone home yet; as he was very fond of staying, but he is so buisy a Gentleman that a School is absolutely necessary for him. he was very good according to his promise made before he came—he told me his Mother tried to make a good Boy of him, but She could not. She said he was good for promisses. He always tells all he knows against himself—
I expet to bring John out the next time I go to town. I saw a Letter of yours to your Brother in which you mention the sickness of Mrs Boyed Child. When your Brother’s was so ill; we usued to give it injections every four hours of Arrow Root with six Eight and ten drops of laudanum. Sometimes we made them with Mallows & seeds either anise seed or Carroway I think it was the first thing which appeard to keep it.
I have to request the favour of you, when you return, to settle an account with mr Allibone of Philadelphia who supplies me with flowr. When my last arrived, he as usual sent his account, and the Bill of lading. mr Smith gave it to mr Shaw to forward to me. he neglected to do it, and when I called upon him for it—he could not find it, nor has he yet been able to get it. I am indebted to him for three Barrels—except a little Surplus in the last remittance which I made him. which he has no doubt creditted me for—you will request him at the same time to send me three Barrels more by the first Spring vessels; I will repay you when you return—
Your friend mr Ware is published to mrs Lincoln, and soon to be married.
Your Brother writes to you I presume all the politicks worth retailing. I am very glad to be excused saying any thing about so unpleasent a subject, if our country is saved from the fate of Europe—it will be the Lords doing, and marvellous in our Eyes.
Can you yet discover what Burrs views and designs are? everyone writes respecting him, just as they hear, or imagine without facts to ground their opinions upon. It really is a mystery—but I am getting upon something very like the area num of politics when I send declared off.
I rejoice much to hear of your Health and hope it may be continued and confirmed.
O Health! thou Sun of Life, without whose / beam/ The fairest scenes of nature seem involv’d / In darkness, shine still upon thy path, / even till the last sceen stage of Life ... / Most affectionatly /  Your Mother
A Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 1 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louisa—
Washington 1. February 1807

The Potowmac Bridge question is at last postponed untill the next Session of Congress, after seven days of as warm and close debate as I ever witness’d in the Senate—The postponement was carried by a single vote 17 to 16, and in all probability had the question on the Bill itself been taken, it would have prevailed—I have been so constantly engaged upon it, that I could not find time for writing even to you, more than two very short letters in the last fortnight, and my letters from my mother and brother yet remain unanswered.
The Bridge is for the present dismiss’d; but king Burr furnishes a topic of no less interest and agitation in its stead. Two of his agents, Bollman and Swartwout, who were employed to seduce General Wilkinson and the army, and whom the General seized and sent here, have been committed upon a charge of high Treason; but I suppose they must be sent back to New-Orleans for trial—At least they cannot as I believe be tried here—
I am much obliged to you for the copy you sent me of Mr: Osgood’s estimate of the expence which it would cost to build the place I contemplated in Court Street. The amount is so much higher than I had expected, that I shall be obliged at least to postpone the Execution of the Plan. For although I might possibly borrow money to pay the bills, yet the chance of making it a profitable undertaking is so much lessened by the amount of the sum to be expended that I think it best not to embarrass myself with a heavy debt upon a prospect of remuneration which at best must be uncertain—I shall therefore not abandon the design, but reserve it for an opportunity if it should ever present itself, when I can engage in it, with safety, and without getting too much involved.
I have received in one of your late Letters Riggs’s Bill, which together with the other you mention shall cheerfully be discharged—I am sorry that anything in this matter has given you pain, and once more assure you that so long as I have a dollar in the world it shall always readily be devoted to any thing which in your own Judgment can contribute to your comforts.
I rejoyce to learn that upon speaking to Mr: G— you have been better accommodated in the Article of diet—I was indeed much mortified and chagrined at hearing that you had any reason to complain in that respect, and hope it will not happen again—The time is now fast approaching when I hope to return, and to go into our own houseI presume Mr: Shaw has informed Mr: Bradford that we shall want it at the expiration of his present quarter—You mentioned sometime since that you had a boy with you, who you thought would answer our purpose there—If you still continue of this opinion I wish you to engage him—And also to procure in Season if you can a woman as Cook; for after what we hear of Sally, we must not think of taking her—Mr: Bradford’s quarter expires I think the 17th: of March; by which day I hope to be in Boston; and I would have you be ready to move without the loss of a day, as soon as the house shall be empty—The inconveniences of the neighbourhood mentioned to you by Mrs: Sargent are to be regretted, and certainly I shall use my best endeavours to have them removed.
I thank you sincerely my dearest friend for mentioning the pew for sale at Mr: Emerson’s; if it can be purchased at a reasonable price, I wish Shaw would bespeak it for me—My personal friendship for Mr: Emerson concurring with other impressions on my mind induce me to be desirous of not leaving him, when I reside in Boston, though as a temporary object the pew which Mr. Davenport now holds in the Brattle Street Church would suit me sufficiently.
Within the last fortnight I have dined both at Mr. Erskine’s and Genl: Turreau’s; and have pass’d Evening’s at Miss Lee’s, Georgetown, and Mr: Erskine’s & Mr: Madison’s in the City—Mrs: Lenox and Miss Keene are here—The latter a beauty of the most dazzling pretensions—We heard her perform the other Evening on the Tambourine, with all the confidence and all the graces of a gypsey. Her dress is as much admired as her person and manners; and in the poetical vein of Dr. Thornton
On her breast she wears a dart
Which I warrant will make the heart
Of many a fine Gentleman smart.
This morning as I was going to the Treasury to hear Mr: Laurie I met Mr: Hopkinson and Mr: Hare, who told me that he saw you about three weeks ago, though he did not say where. They are here to attend the Supreme Court, which is to sit to-morrow.
I called at Mr: Boyd’s, and gave Caroline’s letter to Eliza. They were all at Breakfast so that we had the anecdote of Dr: Spring & his patient without going through the indirect course of Mrs: and Mr: Boyd before it came to me—I am going there again, to dinner, which obliges me to shorten this letter, that I should else certainly carry through the other page—Mrs Boyd’s child continues at intervals very ill—but is this day more easy. What its name is I never told you because I have not understood that it was finally fixed upon—I heard talk of its being called by my name, but never either from its father or mother—Be it called what it may, I pray God it may recover and do well.—
Your’s ever affectionately,
 J. Q. Adams.Kiss my dear John for his remembrance of Papa—And George too if he has returned—


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 1 February 1807
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

Boston Febry. 1st. 1807

I enclose two letters my beloved friend which I request you will give to Adelaide I have not recieved your promissed letter I will not say that I anticipate much pleasure from its perusal as I think it is an answer to a letter I wrote you which has caused me much regret still to hear from you at all affords me so much real satisfaction. I anxiously await its arrival firmly convinced that you cannot censure me more than I merit. The Children are both with me George is very well John has a cold but is not sick We are all going down to Quincy next Wednesday to attend the Assembly the first of which is to be on Wednesday Eveng. I have not a word of News—and only wish I could hasten the period of your return which is ardently desir’d by your most sincerely / affectionate Wife
L C Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 3 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Mother.
Washington 3. Feby: 1807.

I have hardly been able to reconcile it to my own conscience for some weeks that so much time had elapsed since the Commencement of this Session, and that I had not written directly to you—The occasion of my silence has been explained in my letters to my father and my brother, which you have certainly seen—Your favour of 16. Jany: has been these ten days in my possession, but this is the first time I have found a moment for replying to it.
Our foreign Negotiations are in a state of suspension, concerning which a degree of apathy prevails here, not very creditable to our foresight—France and Spain, are obviously waiting only for a moment of leisure, to push us with claims and pretensions which when they come will make themselves felt, and the Treaty with England is broken off upon a pretension on our part to which G. Britain will never concede, as I believe, and to which I doubt much whether we ought to require her to concede—How this policy of sleeping on the edge of the precipice will eventually terminate, I hardly dare to enquire; but we must put our trust in Providence much more than in the wisdom or the fortitude of man.
The projects and the transactions of Mr. Burr, are giving rise to an extraordinary course of our public affairs—On the one hand we are assured that his conspiracy is altogether impotent; without means; and without resources—while on the other—we adopt the most violent and extraordinary measures to counteract them—The President pledges all his responsibility to a state of facts, exhibiting Mr: Burr at the head of an expedition to sever the western States and Territories from the Union, by force, with the intention to seize New-Orleans and plunder the Bank there, as a preliminary step; and yet he tells us that there is no danger to New-Orleans—At the same time General Wilkinson establishes de facto martial law in New-Orleans, denounces one of the judges, as an accomplice in the conspiracy—seizes and ships off three Citizens of the United States, on the ground that they cannot be safely tried, or even suffered to remain there—And two of these three Citizens upon application to the Judges of this District, have been committed by their order to prison, without bail or mainprize, as upon a charge of high-treason. The Senate suspend the privilege of Habeas Corpus, by an Act pass’d in one day; and without a division—At the same time the House of Representatives reject the Bill at its first reading by an almost unanimous vote—By the last accounts, Mr: Burr was at the mouth of Cumberland river encamped with four or five hundred men.
I have not heard directly from my Sister since I came through New-York. Of her situation then she said not much to me, but I know it was distressing—The Coll: had no occupation, and no rational project or prospect of occupation, and was still flattering himself with the idea of a new Office from the Government—I was gratified however by receiving from him a most positive and unqualified assurance that he had no knowledge of Mr: Burr’s purposes against the Union— On my return home I shall make the enquiries you desire, and shall again propose to my Sister to go on with me; if as I apprehend must be the case their situation will make it impossible for them to remain at New-York, keeping house—
I have been once at Mr. Cranch’s, and only once since the Commencement of the Session—Their Residence is in a situation much more pleasant than where they were last Winter, though so much more retired that Mrs. Quincy does not like it so well—They are all as well as circumstances admit; and yesterday Mrs: Cranch brought a son in addition to the family.
The Supreme Court yesterday commenced their Session—Judge Cushing and his Lady have been here this fortnight, and are very well—We are also well in the family where I reside, and my own health has been hitherto so unusually good, that I am afraid I shall fatten into laziness—
I remain ever affectionately your’s.
John Quincy AdamsBest remembrance to all the family—And Love to my boy, if either of them be with you.


Title: From William Stephens Smith to Morgan Lewis, 3 February 1807
From: Smith, William Stephens
To: Lewis, Morgan

Gentlemen—
Albany Feby. 3d. 1807.

With the highest respect I take the Liberty of presenting myself as a Candidate for the office of Sheriff of the City and County of new York. my pretentions to your favour I feel some diffidence in stating, but from the variety of applicants for this important post, whose claims to your favourable consideration I am informed are minutely detailed, I flatter myself, that the statement I shall make to furnish the ability of comparison, will not be attributed to vanity, but to that profound respect which I entertain for your honourable Body.
I entered the service of my Country in the early part of our revolutionary war, I served as Aid de Camp and Major in the Line with major General Sullivan at the Battle of Long Island, where my General being taken prisoner, I was taken into the Commander in Chiefs family, and was wounded at the Battle of Harlem Heights, where dispatched by the Commanding General with orders to the troops in close action—After recovering from the wound, I joined the army at Polly Bridge in the County of west Chester, when in action with the Army, continued in my station. the Campaign, assisted at the Battle of the white plains and on the march of the army thro’ New Jersey, was aid de Camp to Major General Lee at the time he was made Prisoner by the British Cabalry at Basking-ridge and at the Battle of Trenton personally took the Commanding officer of the Hessians from his Horse, and on the 1st. day of January was promoted by General Washington, appointed Lieut. Colo. in one of the 16 Regiments which by the resolves of Congress The General was authorised to raise. It might be tedious to narate the different actions thro’ the course of the War, where I had honourable command, in the Light Infantry; it may suffice to say, That I commanded the advanced Regiment at the Battle of monmouth, & at the seige of newPort on Rhode Island, that with six companies of Light Infantry, I marched from Eastown on the Delaware and enclosed the Garrison of Wyoming on the susquahanah, under the Command of Brigadier General Hand besett by the savages, accompanied General Sullivan in his Campaign against the Indians, & in the following spring commanding the 2d. New jersey regiment, successfully covered for Angels Regiment, when retireing from the fire of the Enemy, at the noted battle of spring field.
I was appointed by the Commander in Chief—Adjutant General of the Light Infantry, under the Command of the Marquis Lefayette & at the Close of the Campaign was honoured by the appointment of Aid de Camp to The Commander in Chief; served in that capacity at the seige of York & Capture of Cornwallis.
When the Army returning to the Banks of the Hudson, I was honored by the Command of the advanced fost of the army at Dobbss ferry, and appointed Commissary General of Prisoners, After the intervene between General Washington & Sir Guy Carleton, upon the signature of the Preliminary articles of Peace, I was Commissioned by General Washington to reside in the City of New York, to supperintend the evacuation of the City, and was the acting officer of the Day, when The British Troops embarked from our shores—
Since the peace I served three years as Secretary of Legation to the Court of Great Britain on my return home, was appointed Marshall of the New York District—then Supervisor of the same, appointed Commandant of the 12th. Regiment of Infantry belonging to this state, & commanded the Union Brigade composed of the 11th. 12th. & 13th. Regiments, stationed in new Jersey, untill that army was disbanded, & finally appointed Surveyor of the port of new York discharging faithfully and Honourably the duties of that station for nearly five years—Apprehensive that I have too far trespassed on the patience of The Council, I shall only further observe, that my life has thus far been spent in the pursuits of honor, ambition only for the applause of my fellow Citizens—
I have spent all my property in public service have an aged mother & a numerous family who look to me for support—If with these pretentions to your favourable Consideration, I should be deemed worthy to fill the office, the appointment to which, I most respectfully solicit you may rest assured Gentlemen, that the duties of it, shall be most sacredly and honourably discharged and a due sense ever entertained of the favour conferred—
I have the honor to be / With the highest respect / Gentlemen— / Your most Obedient / and very Humble / Servant
W: S: Smith


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 4 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louisa
Washington 4. February 1807.

Since I wrote you last, which was on the 1st: of this month I have not heard from you—I enclose you now a letter from Eliza, who is unwell with a bad cough—Mrs: Hellen is also this day quite unwell—The rest of us are in usual health.
Since Messrs. Bollman and Swartwout have been committed to prison, without bail, on a charge of high Treason, we have not heard any thing material from Burr—It is said that Bollman has given full information to the President of the whole conspiracy, upon condition that nothing told by him shall be used as Evidence against himself on his trial, or against any other person.
The Supreme Court are in Session, but two of the Judges, Chase and Cushing, are so indisposed that they are unable to attend—
Mrs: Cranch was confined the day before yesterday, with a Son—She is as well as can be expected.
We have very cold weather again—My thermometer stood this morning at 13. But the snow is all gone from the ground, and the river is open.
Love to Caroline, and my dear boys. Tell John Papa longs for March, as much as he does—
Ever faithfully.
John Quincy Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 5 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear Sir.
Washington 5. February 1807.

I received some days since your favour of the 19. January, and thank you for the information it contains, and for the trouble you have taken in my individual concerns; I should have been happy to hear frequently from you; but I have been sensible that the multiplicity of your usual occupations, and the extraordinary call upon your time and attention, by the illness and decease of your excellent and lamented friend Walter, were amply sufficient to justify your silence—I have continued to enclose to you all the public documents; though having also sent a copy of them to my father, I may sometimes have sent a double set to him and none to you—This may have arisen from the hurry with which I am sometimes obliged to make up the packets, and will easily be rectified by yourself on examining the papers received at Quincy.
I am sorry that you have been unable to accomplish the purchase which I was desirous of making when I left Boston. Mrs: Adams has written to me that there is a pew in the first Church (Mr: Emerson’s) advertised for sale—I now regret very much that I sold that I had there; for being determined to resume my residence in Boston, I wish to return to the same place of worship which I have always frequented since my establishment in Boston in the year 1790. My friendship and esteem for Mr: Emerson, is a decisive consideration for inducing me to return there now—If the pew advertised is to be had on reasonable terms, I will thank you to engage  it for me the refusal of it—I hope to be in Boston by the middle of next month, when I can come to a final arrangement upon the subject.
Mr. Bradford I presume understands that my intention is to go into the house which he now occupies, at the expiration of his present quarter—This I think will be the 15th. (or the 17th) of next month—If it should so happen that I do not arrive in Boston by that day, I shall rely on your goodness for assisting my wife and family in their removal.
I have observed by the Boston papers that the reading-room has been opened, and I hope that the subscribers, and you who have taken so much interest in the establishment, have found it as useful and satisfactory as you have anticipated—I have not received any of the numbers of the Anthology this Winter, nor would I wish you to take the trouble to forward any of them to me; I shall have the pleasure of perusing them after my return—I have seen in the Boston Gazette, some lines upon Walter’s death, said to be taken from the Emerald, and with which I was much pleased. My brother writes me that they were to be republished in the Anthology.
Mr. Burr and his conspiracy have made so much noise, and fill’d all the newspapers throughout the Union to such an extent that I imagine I can tell you nothing new concerning it—His accomplices Bollman and Swartwout are imprisoned here upon a charge of Treason—But it appears that they cannot be tried here; and there is a great doubt whether they can be convicted of Treason any-where.
There is an application before Congress from the Corporation of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company, requesting that a quantity of the public Lands (about 200,000 acres) be appropriated to purchase shares for the public in that Company. Mr: Bayard has just closed an eloquent Speech in favour of this measure—Mr: Giles has just risen in answer to him. I doubt whether the measure will or ought to pass.
The Supreme Court of the United States are in Session, but I have not been able to attend, and learn what they are engaged upon—The whole Court is here; but Judge Cushing has been indisposed and unable to attend—We have pass’d a Bill in Senate to add a seventh Circuit consisting of the three Western States, to the Courts of the United States, and for the appointment of an additional Judge of the Supreme Court—It is now before the House of Representatives—
If you see my brother, I will thank you to tell him I have received his letter of 21. Jany: and shall answer it in the course of a few days—
With great regard & esteem, I remain, Dear Sir, truly yours.
J. Q. Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 6 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louisa.
Washington 6. Feby 1807.

Your letter of 26. Jany: enclosing one to your Mamma, reached me the same day that I wrote you last—I have myself no objection to the publication of my lines in the Anthology; but as they were address’d to your Sister, they belonged to her more than to me, you must answer for the printing to her—I know not that she would take any displeasure from it, and suppose you had reason for presuming on her consent as well as mine.
We have got another prisoner arrived here from New-Orleans; who as well as the two others who were here before, Bollman and Swartwout, applied yesterday to the Supreme Court now sitting, for writs of Habeas Corpus, to obtain their discharge—The Court I believe are upon the subject now—The Ladies sympathise much with Swartwout, who is a genteel young man—One of his brothers from New-York is also here; and was at the Ball last Evening—I was not there; but this morning, the possession of him was so warmly contested between two of the young Ladies at Breakfast, that I conclude he must be a person of formidable accomplishments.
Mrs: Hellen is quite unwell; but I hope from no alarming cause—The other Ladies were all well enough to attend the Ball last Evening; and are to be this Evening at a party, at Mrs: Delaney’s.—
We had snow the greater part of last Night, and this day we have a furious North-West Wind, which has just blown down one of our windows in the Senate chamber. We thought at first that the whole building was tumbling about our heads, and began to scamper in a manner which would have made a good subject for a caricature Painter—We soon discovered however that it was only a false alarm.
The enclosed lines may perhaps afford you some Amusement—They were written in consequence of the writer’s meeting in Company a young Lady, rather more than usually undress’d—You will not mistake their object—I suppose it may be one mode of exciting Ladies to Reflection, to describe the effects which their exhibitions have a tendency to produce upon Sensation.
My dear Boys—I bear them constantly in my heart, and hope you always remind them of their father’s Affection when he writes—I am glad to hear John is a good boy, and was charmed with the assurance of it under his own hand.
It blows such a hurricane that I scarcely know how I shall get home—The Senate have adjourned before two O’Clock; having nothing to do.
Most Affectionately your’s.
John Q. Adams Enclosure

Lines.To Miss In full Un-dress at a Ball.When first, in Eden’s flowery dell
Our Grandam Eve was fram’d,
She was, as holy legends tell,
Though naked, not asham’d.
But when the Serpent’s subtle head
Had brought her to disgrace;
When Innocence and Bliss were fled—
The fig-leaf took their place.
Still the more guilty she became,
She show’d herself the less;
And thenceforth nakedness was shame,
And Innocence was—Dress.
But soon, her daughters shall again
Like Eve, before the fall,
Concealment of themselves disdain
And stand display’d to all.
Soon, venom’d Envy’s search defy,
Undaunted and unblam’d;
Soon dare the keenest critic’s eye;
“Though naked, not asham’d.”
For one, shall niggard beauty save?
For one, her treasures spare?
No!—free, be all that Nature gave,
And common as the air!
No more, each lovely limb to mould
Shall Fancy’s aid require—
No more, mysterious gems infold
The blossoms of Desire.
Already, Sally now reveals
To view, Neck, Arms and Breast;
While a bare spider’s web conceals,
And scarce conceals the rest.
Dear Sally! let thy heart be kind—
Discover all thy charms—
Fling the last fig-leaf to the wind,
And snatch me to thy arms!


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 8 February 1807
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Brother
Quincy 8th: February 1807.

When Sunday comes I usually enquire whether I have any arrearges to make up with my correspondents; if I have, it is to me the most convenient season for discharging such debts. Though I have, at present, no letter unacknowledged, I have a variety of documents and journals from you, which deserve mention, because they serve as a substitute in some degree for letters, which we know you have not leisure to write.
I wrote you, in my last, that I had not formed an opinion as to the design of the Ex-Vice President, in his movements to the Westward. We had not then received the Messages of the President, in which he discloses the additional information from that quarter. These go a great way in assisting me to make up my mind; and, if I were called upon now, to give an opinion, as to the views and intentions of Mr: Burr, I should say with Mr: Wood, the Editor who first denounced him, that I believe him “an innocent man.” What single act has he done of which any legal evidence yet appears of a criminal nature? Did he write that cyphered incoherent scrawl to Wilkinson? And if he did, is it treason or rebellion or insurrection? Our Chief Magistrate and a majority of his Constitutional advisers must have been haunted by the Ghost of General Hamilton to excite this hue & cry against Col: Burr. There never was, in any Government, or in any Country that I ever heard of, such ado about nothing as this whole affair now appears to me. If the reward or price set upon Burr’s head were worth stopping the descent of his boats a single day, I have little doubt but he would voluntarily surrender himself. Ten boats and sixty men going to market down the Ohio, produced a bill in the Senate of the United States to suspend the privilege of the Habeas Corpus. This beats all the Ocean Massacres and Tub bottom plots, which caused so many sarcasms a few years ago.
But this is not the language of the Presidents adherents. The Proclamation has knocked the treason in the head, and the Commander in chief of the Army has arrested the chief abettors of the illegal combination; the Militia posted on the Ohio & its waters have stopped the ammunition boats, and “the most formidable conspiracy, (late or present) of any we know of in history,” has thus most providentially been nipped in the bud.
You have heard so much on this subject, that you would willingly dispense with my crude comments. But you will remember that I am only amusing myself, at the publick expense, and attempting to give you some faint idea how happily adapted the recent measures of our Rulers at Washington are to excite mirth; “making that Idiot laughter keep men’s eyes, and strain their cheeks to idle merriment.”
The proceedings in the Circuit Court for the District of Columbia, upon the motion of Mr: Jones have but one precedent, that of Judge Tallmadge in New York. I expected Judge Cranch would think and act right, as I believe he did.
Your Wife and family have been with us a few days and are in good health; they will return some time this week to Boston.
Since I wrote last, I have agreed with Mr: Frederick Hardwick to let him your Quincy Meadow for five years, at $50 per ann. I prefered this to taking the chance of a tenant at Auction, as I have a good opinion of Mr: Hardwick’s circumstances and character. He takes the land unconditionally for that price, which neither of the other applicants would. Mr: Faxon has requested to take back his offer for the Salt-meadow, and to take his chance at Vendue. I consented to it, believing we shall get more for it in that way.
It is not improbable that I shall become your tenant in the house you left—say the old Mansion house in which we were born. I shall be willing to take my chance as a bidder and if the house should be struck off to me, I can dispose of the land adjoining, unless I should want it for some purpose of my own. It is not long since this project was contemplated, and I have embraced it more earnestly on account of some recent letters from our Sister at New York, which make it probable that she will come here this Spring. I shall be, on many accounts better satisfied to live by myself, with my own little family, than as I have done hitherto; though I have every reason to be grateful for the kindness & indulgence I have so long experienced from our parents. If I had sooner determined upon this step I should have communicated it to you; but I had another plan in view, which I think cannot be so readily accomplished. If any objections occur to your mind, as to the fitness of this measure, I beg you to mention them without reserve. It will not be too late to change my purpose, if I hear from you by return of Mail.
With best remembrance to all friends / I am truly Your Brother
T. B. Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 9 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louisa.
Washington 9. February 1807.

Since I wrote you last, when we were in the midst of a hurricane from the Northwest, untill this moment, we have had the coldest spell of weather I ever knew in this place—On that day as I wrote you, the windows were blown in and broken down here at the capitol—Houses or at least one House was unroofed—Carriages were overset; and Mr: Quincy undertaking to walk home was so much overpowered by the gale that he became faint and dizzy; and but for assistance to carry him home, might have perished on the way—My old Cap however did me its usual service on such occasions; and I walk’d home without suffering more from the cold, or wind than a walk in Winter must always expect—The weather having been so severe here, I am not unconcerned to hear what it must have been with you—If the cold, or the violence of the Storm was as much greater there than here, as the usual difference of the climate imports, I hardly know how the houses themselves could stand—Since Friday the thermometer has every night been nearly  quite as low as 0, but this day the wind has come round to the Southward, and the weather has become comparatively moderate—We had very little snow, which fell the night before the tempest came on; but it is all blown away—The sky has been the whole time clear as a Bell—
I received last week a letter, bearing the Post-mark of Frankfort, Kentucky, which upon opening, I found dated Paris 3. Septr: 1806. in french—quite a long, and a remarkably kind letter, without signature, but from its contents I knew it must be from Pichon—He speaks with much affectionate esteem of your family, and desires the remembrance of his wife to you—How it got to Frankfort in Kentucky I cannot imagine—He refers me for information respecting himself to a Mr: Giraud, of whom he speaks, as the bearer of the letter—It was originally address’d to me on the back, at Boston—But Boston is struck out, and Washington City, written in its stead; in a hand-writing which looks to me like  Whitcomb’s—I have suspected that this Mr: Giraud must be in Boston; living at Whitcomb’s, and that learning I was here he had given the letter to Whitcomb, to be forwarded, and he made the alteration in the direction—But still I know not how the letter could have got into a Kentucky Post-Office before it came here.
I received on Saturday your letter of 29. Jany: and most heartily rejoyce to learn that you are all well; which I with equal ardour wish you may still remain and hereafter continue—Mrs: G——was rather late in her doubts respecting her own condition, and I am glad to learn they were eventually solved to her satisfaction—
Yesterday I dined at Mr: Boyd’s; where they are all upon the whole well, though the child is not in confirmed health—We are also well at Mr Hellen—The enclosed from your mamma is for Caroline, to whom as to my dear boys, remember me with the tenderest affection
your’s
J. Q. Adams.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 10 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Thomas Boylston

My dear Brother.
Washington 10. February 1807.

I have two letters from you of the 18th: and 28th: of last Month to answer—And since the receipt of the last have also received from Shaw, a copy of Selfridge’s trial—It corresponds very accurately with your abridgement, excepting only the Article of Mr. Dexter’s argument with which I confess I have been much disappointed—It is professedly much compress’d in the printed trial, from what it was in the delivery, and must I think have suffered by the compression—I am not thoroughly satisfied either with its law, or its eloquence—The position upon which he dwells with most earnestness, that a man of honour, may kill for the defence of his reputation against the disgrace of a beating, does not appear to me to be tenable, and I do not think it was necessary for his cause—The great intrinsic difficulty against it is the impossibility of distinguishing between the man of delicate mind who prefers death to the disgrace of receiving a blow; and the man who according to his own statement would take a beating for a five dollar Bill—The laws which under the same Circumstances would put a deadly weapon into the hand of one man, and deny it to another, founded only upon the difference in their personal character cannot in my judgment be Laws either just or equitable. Neither does it seem to me that this argument was necessary to the cause—The point of self-defence, (I mean legal self-defence) seems to me so clear upon the Evidence, that I should have been more inclin’d to rest the argument with Gore upon unquestionable Law, than upon a doctrine questionable as to the principle, and not without danger in its tendency—It may have had its effect upon the Jury, and if its further consequence should be to restrain the practice which has been too much indulged of Street-brawling, and personal attacks upon the Exchange, it will prove of real service to the Community—The charge of the Judge you represented with perfect correctness—The general tenor of his conduct from beginning to end is marked with an anxious desire to do right, coupled with diffidence of himself and terror of consequences—His objection against the Evidence of the previous quarrel, and the manner in which he finally yielded to its admission indicates feebleness of two kinds—He ought to have seen from the first, that the cause could not be tried, without a full investigation of the whole subject—But when he had declared that he would not admit such Evidence, even by consent of parties, he ought not to have been driven from his purpose, by threats of a full Court or a New Trial.—He was pushed back step by step to the ground which he ought to have assum’d from the beginning—His charge has marks of the same character, and with the best intentions in the world he leaned against the prisoner more than seems to me to have been right—His situation I know was delicate and distressing—I am far from being confident that I should myself have acted with more firmness or more Judgment—But for that very reason I will never be a Judge of high criminal Jurisdiction, under our Institutions—The trial has suggested to me many other remarks—But I should tire you by detailing them; and many of them must have occurr’d to you upon the trial—I cannot however forbear to notice Sullivan’s awkward embarrassment at the nature of the Indictment, and his labours all directed to show murder, on a Bill for Manslaughter—Had the subject admitted of mirth, I could not have refrained from laughter, at his political episodes, and his windings to convince the Jury that they were all of his own party—The Impudence of his reproaches against the Grand-Jury and the insolence of his tone to the Court did not surprize me but roused too much Indignation to be diverting
Your difficulties in ascertaining what was your own opinion concerning Mr: Burr’s projects gave me a hearty laugh, as it so exactly described the situation in which my mind was for a long time, and that of others with better means of information than either of us—The President however has at last told us what the real projects of this aspiring adventurer are, and by a letter from the Secretary of the Mississippi Territory which I now enclose, you will perceive that he begins to show his teeth—to threaten resistance against coercion, and to talk of civil War.—From the proceedings of General Wilkinson, with Governor Claiborne and some of the Judges at New–Orleans—another question of “dubiosity” seems to arise; viz: whether the supposed Traitor, or those who oppose him are the greatest offenders against the Country—I suppose you have seen or will see E. Livingston’s address to the Public, from which you will find that Wilkinson has been rather more soldier than citizen upon this occasion—What the issue will eventually be, I know not; but it has been my opinion ever since we took possession of that Country that almost every act Legislative and Executive has been made, as if it was for the express purpose of driving them to Rebellion—Mr: Alexander who was sent here has already been liberated, and the Supreme Court have now before them motions for Habeas Corpus to bring in Bollman & Swartwout. The Court doubt whether they have original Jurisdiction.
We have had Reports that a Treaty with England was signed; but as now appears without foundation—
With my duty and affection to all the family I remain, faithfully your’s.

J. Q. Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 11 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louisa
Washington 11. Feby: 1807.

I yesterday enclosed you a letter from Adelaide, under a blank cover, because I was all the morning writing to my brother, and when I came to enclose the letter to you, it was so late that I had not time to add a line with it—I now send a letter from Kitty for Caroline, and must tell you that we are well; excepting Mrs: Boyd’s child which continues in the same State of illness from time to time, and was yesterday quite unwell.
You will observe that Adelaide’s letter has two wafers in it; the occasion of which was that on finding it on my table directed to Mrs: Adams I broke it open supposing it address’d to myself; but on perceiving that it was for you, I did not read more than the two first lines, and then closed it again with the second wafer.
You have several times enquired, concerning the supposed appointment of Genl: Dearborn to the Office of Collector of Boston—No such appointment has taken place—Genl: Dearborn is still acting Secretary at War; and we have no official information that Genl: Lincoln has resigned—which has induced me to doubt the fact.
I hope your Assembly at Quincy was agreeable—We are all invited to a Ball, at Mrs: Erskine’s next Tuesday—I enclose you the last news from Coll: Burr. I have received your’s of the 1st:—
Ever affectionately your’s

J. Q. Adams.Kiss the dear Boys for me—


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 13 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Mother.
Washington 13. Feby: 1807.

I have received your kind letter of January; and shall particularly attend to your directions at Philadelphia, respecting the flour—It is at present my intention to leave this place the 4th: of next month; but the winter and the roads are now breaking up; so that I know not whether the roads will at that time be passable
The termination of this Congress will leave our public affairs in a singular Situation; threatened with War on all sides, external and internal, yet disarming ourselves of all force both of arms and of Revenue—We have now nothing to do—Or rather we do nothing— But I think there must be a special call of the next Congress before December.
We have no further news from Mr: Burr since the paper I enclosed to my brother two days ago—
The Supreme Court have this day decided after long argument that they have the power to issue an Habeas Corpus, and have accordingly issued the writs for Bollman and Swartwout returnable next Monday—Neither of the Judges, Cushing or Chase, was present.
I remain in duty and affection, your’s.
J. Q. Adams


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 15 February 1807
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

Quincy Feby. 15 1807

Being apprehensive that you may be uneasy at not hearing from me my beloved friend I write from your Mother’s where we have been the last fortnight and where I think we seem likely to remain sometime longer although I at present expect to go into Boston tomorrow Louisa has been very sick and Sister T. B. is confin’d with a bad Breast her Baby grows finely and is one of the prettiest creatures I ever saw still not so handsome as our John who retains his beauty in its highest perfection—
Your Father was for a considerable time much concerned about the bill which passed so rappidly through the Senate and still cannot account for the Vote of a certain friend of mine. It never caused me the slightest anxeity as I know your Opinions to be generally form’d upon mature reflection and deliberation and almost always correct he has tax’d me once or twice upon two of your former votes as if he suspected my having been concern’d in the subject, which makes me smile. no woman certainly ever interfer’d less in affairs of this kind than I have, and if I ever possess’d any influence, I certainly have never exerted it. however these two Votes, he says, he never can forgive, and I suspect he has since included the last among the number. Is it fair mon Ami, for a man, thus to condemn, without Knowing upon what grounds you have acted? I think not, but my judgement is apt to be erroneous.
The Boy I mention’d, has left Mr. Gulliver, and is not to be had. his father intends to keep him at School. I do not know where to look for one, but will make enquiries, before you return. I have some time been enquiring for a Girl, and hope I shall be able to procure one who may answer our purpose. I shall be ready to remove the moment you return, which I most anxiously anticipate they all here endeavor to alarm me, a little by assuring me, that the Senate will be detaind some months after the Session expires. but this I will not believe, it would make me too unhappy. nothing but the period of your absence being limitted, to a short time, could possibly have induced me to stay. I should be too severely punish’d for doing so, if your time is lengthen’d—
You will see by the papers, how much we are like to shine the next Election, two such bright constellations as Judge Sullivan, & Levi Lincoln, cannot fail to add lustre, to the bright hemisphere of Massachuset—
The deposition of Judge Inis, affords a topic of conversation at  present, and not a little astonishment. he certainly must be a very profound & learned Judge, to require ten years deliberation, before he could decide how he should conduct himself in such a situation I always thought untill now, that a J. should possess strict integrity, firmness, and decision of character, an idea I presume is obsolete—
Adieu my best belov’d friend the Children are both well. John has been quite sick but is entirely recover’d. The Thermometer since I have been here has been as low as 11 in the entry between your Fathers and Sister T. B.’s room; and as low as 15 below nought out of Doors. It is now very mild and has rain’d heavily since yesterday before Sun Rise, every thing is overflow’d, even the bridge by Mr Blacks. if it continues I think poor Neponset, will be washed away—present my best love to all the family, and believe me most sincerely, & affectionately yours,
L. C. A.Bring Mrs. Smith home with you if possible. Your Mother hopes you will take no denial as it regards John
The Col. is building a house at Shenang to which Mrs. Smith intends going in the Summer


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Smith Shaw, 17 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear Sir.
Washington 17. February 1807.

I received in proper time from you, a copy of Selfridge’s trial, and also the Anthology for January, for which you have my best thanks; and in return for which I now send you a blossom for the next month’s basket—I hope your council of Literary botanists will not be of opinion that some of its petals are too rank for the sense; however it is entirely at your and their disposal.—You must shew it to Mrs. A—— before the publication, as she has a right to see every thing of the production of this soil; but if she should in return shew you another, though a more fragrant flower, which I sent her yesterday, you will perceive that that cannot be fit for publication—
Bridge-fighting, which has been as much in fashion here this winter as at Boston, has subsided for the Session—The slave bill has almost pass’d the two houses of Congress; and there is nothing else to detain us here, excepting the custom of staying here untill 3. March—But the Supreme Court are full of business—Bollman and Swartwout are now before them on return to a writ of Habeas Corpus; and two motions in their behalf are under argument; one to discharge them; and the other to Bail them for appearance at the Court in New–Orleans—The Senate have pass’d a Bill to regulate the summoning of Grand-Jurors, which will excite your attention—But it has not yet pass’d the house of Representatives.
Your’s with the greatest regard & esteem.


Title: From Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Quincy Adams, 17 February 1807
From: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson
To: Adams, John Quincy

Boston Febry. 17th. 1807

We return’d to Town yesterday morning which was one of the most bitter Cold I ever experienced but fortunately were not frozen The Children bore the ride better than I expected though George could not refrain from tears nothing contributed so much towards producing a free circulation as the sight of Mr. Shaw with a letter from you my beloved friend written apparently in great spirits and containing the sauciest lines I ever perused I have a great inclination to have them published in the next Anthology for the sake of my sex in general to whom I hope they would prove a serious advantage to say any thing in their praise is surely unnecessary. you have but to exert the talents you so eminently to shine possess to shine almost unrivall’d—
I should have been much diverted could I have seen the Fathers of the Nation, “scampering away, as you so ludicrously represent, and think it a great pity, that no painter was present, to do justice to the Scene, and hand you all down to posterity, in so dignified a situation, & so perfectly expressive of the general situation of affairs. I fear Count G. must have been considerably discomposed by the effort, & Mr. Tracy must have been a little distress’d for the Counts 9 hairs, which he appear’d to take such interest in last winter—Give my love to Mr T. and tell him I still remember his good sayings with pleasure—
Your Brother tells me he wrote you about a week since, from him his quizical manner to me I suspect he has been writing some nonsense, concerning me, but you know him, and wont mind what he says—
I will speak to Mr. Shaw about the Pew, but I suppose you have mention’d it to him, he tells me you have written to him very fully. I have not yet found a Girl to do our Cooking, but I hope to do it before you return. your Mother advises me not to take a boy but to look for a man Servant, as she thinks a Boy would only prove a plague, and not answer our purpose at all. I have therefore commission’d Mr. Shaw, to look out for one, and hope to have all these matters arranged before you return—
The poor Woman of the house, owing to neglect, is not yet able to walk across the room yet   has been confined three weeks. I am sorry to have no reason to boast of Mr. Gullivers attention. However do not make yourself uneasy, the time for our stay is short and will soon slip away—
Your Mother & father are well, though much affected by the severity of the Season. Sister T. B got a bad Breast from her own imprudence, but was a little better yesterday, Thomas is as fat as ever, and Mr. Dexter in a thriving way. Adieu God bless you and send you safe back to the arms of your sincerely affectionate wife.

L C A.The Children are both well though the cold does not appear to agree with John


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 27 February 1807
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louisa.
Washington 27. Feby: 1807.

I received yesterday your letter of the 15th: and this morning that of the 17th: enclosing in the former a letter from to your Mamma, and in the latter, one to Mrs: Boyd—We are now at the last days of the Session, and you know how much we are oppress’d with public business at such times—This will give you my excuse for the shortness of this letter—It is not yet certain whether the members of the Senate, will be detained after the 3d: of March; it depends upon the circumstance of the Treaty’s arrival—It is now expected every hour; if it should come before Wednesday next, we shall not be detained—If not, we may possibly be detained a few days—Though I do not even in that case expect it—I have already engaged to take my passage with some other members on Wednesday morning, in a carriage for Annapolis—from whence I purpose to proceed the ensuing day to Philadelphia.
Mr: Daniel Clark the Delegate from the Orleans Territory, gives a Ball this Evening, which we are invited to attend, and to which we intend to go—It is to be at Stelle’s Hotel.
Mr: Daniel Clark is beyond all comparison, among the Ladies the most popular member of Congress that ever made his appearance at Washington.
I was last Evening at Mr: Boyd’s; where they are all tolerably well—The same at Mr: Hellen’s—Mrs: Hellen has never been out, in any Company through the Winter.
I hope you have before this time got through the great severity of the Season—Here it has been mild and fine for some days past—But the Season is later than I have ever before known here.—The Roads are just breaking up; and almost impassable from here to Baltimore.
My best love to the boys, and to Caroline—And believe me ever affectionately / Yours
J. Q. Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 9 March 1807
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Warren, Mercy Otis

my Dear Mrs Warren
Quincy March 9th 1807

To your kind and friendly Letter I fully designd an immediate replie, but a Severe attack of a rheumatick complaint in my Head has confined me to my Chamber for Several weeks and renderd me unable to hold a pen. tho recovering from it, my head Still feels crakd: Shatterd I am Sure it is—you will therefore pardon any inaccuracy I may commit. my Health which you so kindly inquire after, has been better for two years past, than for many of those which preceeded them. I am frequently reminded that here I have no abiding place. I bend to the blast. it passes over for the present and I rise again.
your Letter my dear Madam written So much in the Stile of Mrs Warrens ancient Friendship, renewed all those Sensations which formerly gave me pleasure, and from which I have derived sincere and durable gratification, and I anticipate a Still closer and more cordial union in the World of Spirits to which we are hastning, when these earthly tabernacles Shall be moulderd into Dust.
If we were to count our years by the revolutions we have witnessed, we might number them with the Antediluvians, so rapid have been the changes; that the mind tho fleet in its progress, has been outstriped by them—and we are left like Statues gazing at what we can neither fathom, or comprehend.
you inquire what does mr Adams think of Napolean? If you had asked Mrs Adams, She would have replied to you in the words of Pope.
If plagues and Earthquakes, break not heavens design
why then a Borgia or a Napoline?
I am Authorized to replie to your question, What does mr Adams think Napoleon was made for? “My answer Shall be as prompt and frank as her question. Napoleons Maker alone can tell all he was made for. in general Napoleon was, I will not Say made, but permitted for a cat o nine tails, to inflict ten thousand lasshes upon the back of Europe as divine vengeance for the Atheism Infidelity Fornications, Adulteries Incests and Sodomies, as well as Briberies Mobberies Murders Thefts Intrigues and fraudelent Speculations of her inhabitants—and if we are far enough advanced in the career—and certainly we have progressd very rapidly—to whip us for the Same crime’s—and after he has answerd the end he was made, or permitted for, to be thrown into the fire—now I think I have meritted the answer from Mrs Warren which She has promised me to the Question, What was Napoleon made for?”
May I ask mrs Warren in my turn—what was col Burr made for? and what can you make of him or his projects? enveloped in as many Mystery as Mrs Ratcliffs castle of udolphus? how he mounted to power we know, and a faithfull historic page ought to record, and after he had answerd the end for which he was permitted, we know how he fell. what is yet left for him to perform, time must unveil.
I thank you my dear Madam for your inquiries after my Daughter—She was well a few days Since—She had Letters from her Son dated in Nov’br he was then at Trinidad where he expected to pass the winter, a don Quixot expedition which could never have met with his Grandfathers or my assent or consent, if it had been known to us before he had Saild. it has been a source of much anxiety to us, and to his Mother.
I cannot close this Letter without droping a Sympathizing tear with you over the remains of your beloved Neice, and my valued Friend. She was from her Youth all that was amiable Lovely and good, the youthfull companion of my daughter. I always saw her with pleasure, and parted from her with regreet. She was endeard to me by the misfortunes of her youth to which from her Strong Sensibility, and dutifull affection, I was frequently made the depositary of her Sorrow and tears. She always exprest for me a Sincere Regard—when I learnt her new engagement, knowing the Delicate State of her Health, I feard She might find it too arduous for her, but her companion She had long known, esteemd and valued as his many virtues deserved
Heaven Spared her to act well the Mothers part towards her Sons, to whom She devoted herself and having reared them to Manhood, for wise ends which we cannot comprehend—took her out of Life—what can we Say, but that the ways of Heaven are dark and intricate—
I pray you to present mr Adamss and my regards to Gen’ll Warren—we both of us rejoice to hear that he enjoys So much health at his advanced period of Life. we Shall always be happy to hear of the welfare of Friends whom we have loved from our early years and with Whom we have past many, very many Social hours of pleasing converse, in unity of Bond and Spirit.
with Sincere Regard / I Subscribe Your Friend
Abigail Adams


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 9 March 1807
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

Atkinson March 9th. 1807

It is a long time my Dear Sister, since I have written to you; but I consider it a priviledge that we can think of our Friends,  animate our Souls by a view of their useful lives, & refresh ourselves by a retrospect of past scenes, when we cannot find one leisure moment to visit them, or impress our Ideas upon paper.—
Ever since Thansgiving we have had one, or other of our Family sick in bed, or confined to their Room. We have had a large Family all winter, & we ought to be grateful to heaven, that we are continued in Being, while so many of our dear Friends in the Course of the last year, are numbered among the Dead. My eldest Brother Oakes Shaw, I see by the publick Papers, has finished his ministry on Earth, & is now, I hope, joined the redeemed of the Lord—Every valuable connection taken from us, should increase our zeal in the service of our heavenly Master. And when we see that our Day is far spent, may we be found with our Lamps trimed & burning, ready to attend our final summons. It was painful to me, that I could not see you last Fall. Oh! how rejoiced I should have been, to have had the President & my Sister made us such a friendly visit, as they kindly intended, but though we were disappointed of that honour, I hope, it will be put into your hearts, to make us a visit this Spring—Perhaps the weather may be more salubrious, & much more pleasant when the days are growing longer, & when Nature assumes her most mild & charming aspect,—than when the falling leaves lie whithered upon the sable ground, & Earth with a mournful face, sees the Herald of the shortest Days, when she must be buried in cold, & ice—& Snow—
All the Ideas respecting the advanced age of our friends had fully impressed my mind, before I received your last letter, & the uncertainty of life, & of ever seeing each other again are often in my thoughts—But hope, is the balm of Life, & the pleasure of seeing each others Face, I fondly cherish—
My Son was very unfortunate in the time of his visit here—My help were all sick, & I could not speak scarcely one word, Lydia has had a disorder, a humour in her feet, which has for six weeks disenabled her from walking, & Nabby Leach was sick a bed—And Abby had just got about house—I pitied myself, & him too, poor little George, will never want to come again. Though I was relieved at my Lungs so as to speak by monday, though it hurt me, that I dare not say much—George appeared very fond of my Son—& he is really a fine child—He had two new hankercheifs, which Abby hemed, marked one, but had not time to mark the other—If miss Susan will mark it for him I will thank her—
Mr Peabody was at Haverhill, & heard that Miss Adams was very sick—You my Sister have suffered  greatly in the same way, & know how to pity her.
My Love, & tender regards to all your family, & my Brother & Sister Cranch—
The Stage calls, & I can only add what I always am, your affectionate / Sister
Elizabeth Peabody


Title: From John Adams to William Smith Shaw, 17 March 1807
From: Adams, John
To: Shaw, William Smith

Dear Sir
Quincy March 17. 1807

I have advised Messrs. Perkins to print Mr. Cremeres Letter literatim. But it ought to be accompanied with explanatory Notes, E. G.
“Narrowly bound” The Writer undoubtedly had in his mind the French phrase “Etroitement lié”—His meaning is “closely or intimately connected”.—
“Trespass” Here the French word “Trepas”, which signifies death or decease, was no doubt in the writers mind.—
“Carge” charge in french. Cargo—this may be corrected by Note but it would not be taking too great a Liberty to correct it, without taking Notice of it.
“More threaten” encore menacent, still threaten—
“Virtuous Politick” virtuous Politician—
“How more” by how much the more
“The came early” They came early. This may be corrected without notice.
The catastropy of Leyden is to me a most afflicting Event. A beautiful City where I resided with my Children many months & where I attended divine service on Sundays in the venerable Temple where Mr. Robinson & his congregation worshiped for a dozen years before their Pilgrimage to Plymouth. This very ancient and revered edifice is now probably a mass of ruins. The University of Leyden, with all its renown, is another confused heap You may print my letter to Messrs. Perkins & this too with that of Mr. Cremeres, if you think proper, though I do not desire that you should, if you will only insert the necessary notes. I am not ashamed to be known to the public as a lover of Leyden & if my life is continued long enough I am determined to be known to posterity as a friend to John Luzac
I am my dear Shaw, your affectionate friendJ A.


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Mary Smith Cranch, 17 April 1807
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Cranch, Mary Smith

My Dear Sister
Atkinson April 17th. 1807

“Completely blest, to see my fellows blest.”
I was happy to hear from you, & to find that you, & your family had enjoyed health, through a long cold tedious winter, for sickness at any time is a great affliction, more especially when it is necessary to have watches in long nights—
We have been favoured with a remarkable share of health among our numerous boarders, untill lately, & have never had but one dangerously sick in our family—But what is very affecting to me is, that there should be three taken with spitting of blood, & continue with puking—Two with scarcely any cough—
It has been my Lot to have one continued series of Sickness in our house ever since the first of January—When Mr Peabody was in Boston Abby was taken very ill, before this she was more fleshy & better than I ever saw her—But she was sezed with an oppression at her breast, & when she coughed it was so hard, that she used to say that she feared the blood must pour out of her Stomack—Providence has kindly spared her to a too doating Mother—She is a great help to me, though a tender plant—She feels for all—But if I am unwell—she is too anxious & distressed—I sometimes fear what will become of her, if I am taken away—I tell her, “Tis strange that a heart, with thousand strings should keep in tune so lon,.” & naturally so slender—I do all I can to fortify her mind, But God alone can give her strength, & a shield, to sustain her in the day of trial—
The recent Sickness, & death of my dear Arolina Augusta Gilman, has wounded our hearts—Nine years since, Mrs Gilman committed her almost Infant Offspring to our Care—Like a fond delighted Mother, I have nurtured, & watched over their youthful days—charmed with their growing Virtues. But the cruel Spoiler came, & cut down in its early bloom, one of the fairest flowers—
Indeed my Sister, I feel almost worn out with anxiety & care—watching the pillow of the distressed—Five weeks I have sate by the bed of Miss Harriet Livermore—who was taken first, with a lung fever—It appeared to form a crisis, but she soon relapsed, & I fear is, or will soon be in a fixed Consumption—Mr Peabody watched with her last night, with me, for she puked such bloody matter, that I dared not leave any of the family with her—& the neighbours had all watched twice over. My heart aked, for we really thought she might burst a blood vessel & time with her, soon be closed—
She came in February upon a visit, & her Father requested Mr Peabody to let her continue in the Family as a boarder—
Her Talents are remarkably brilliant, cultivated by extensive reading, she is a most pleasing visitant—& elegant  composiest both in prose & poetry—But Nature though liberal in her Gifts, is not lavishsome check to human greatness, is ever thrown in the Scale—A constelation of Virtues seldom appear in the female hemisphere—She thinks herself unhappy, & therefore is really so—Early in life she lost her Mother—her natural friend—& monitor—I heard the Presidents family had been sick, but were better when I last heard from Quincy—Our dear Sisters Cares are great. She like her heavenly Exemplar, is constantly doing good—may her valuable life be long continued—
I was sorry to hear of Miss Adam’s trouble—I never had that, but know so delicate a part, affected, must be extreme pain— I am glad to hear that her little one grows—notwithstanding deprived for a time of its proper nourishment—I have not been able to see Miss Mary, since her return—but hope we shall recover from sickness, & make some pleasing excursions—“Hope springs eternal”—With this I conclude what is written, with weak Eyes, in a dark sick Chamber. Accept my best love, present it where due / from your Sister
E Peabody


Title: From Hannah Phillips Cushing to Abigail Smith Adams, 25 April 1807
From: Cushing, Hannah Phillips
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Madam
Washington April 25th.1807.

If my hands could have obeyed the dictates of my heart I should have written to you long before this. But I have been constantly nursing my poor sick Husband, who has been confined to his room for 82 days. I never knew him enjoy better health than he did from July to the last of Jany. He attended Court Feby. 2nd., called on the President, & that night was taken with a Remitent Fever, & sore throat. He had been gaining some days before 26th., when he was finely in the morg, & looked over some Court papers; But at night went to bed with chills, which were followed with a high fever, and continued unabated some days, which proved to be a slow Nervous fever, & it is not more than a week since the thick coat has been wholly off of his tongue. For 70 days he eat no meat, and not a bit of bread for 44 days. Heaven be praised, he has been gaining surprisingly for a fortnight. It does my heart good to see him eat a small piece of beef steak, “It is delicious very delicious,” indeed every thing he takes now is so. What a comfort it would have been if I could have had one of my beloved Sisters with me, in this long & distressing period. I hope & pray that when that all important Period comes to him, & me, it will find us in our own Couuntry, & amoung our Kindred. How often, & forcibly, has it brought to my mind my Dear departed Brother, who sickend, & died among strangers, and not one near Connexion to impart a wish to. We have received much kindness, & attention, from many of the Citizens here, particularly Judge Cranch, & it was a great solace to my mind to know that we had so good a Friend near us. He was well last Sabbath & called to see us, but is now at Alexandria attending Court. Mrs Cranch is much confined with her Infant, not having any person she can trust it with. It was with much concern that I heard of your indisposition. You my much valued Friend, have had a large share of pain, & sickness, & I most heartily wish that it would please the Almighty to prolong your valuable life, without those great alloys to happiness. I cannot be too thankful that I have been blessed with so large a portion of health through Life, & particularly at this time, when it seemed to be so necessary to my Husband. Indeed my “lot has been cast in a pleasant land” Few, very few have had more real enjoyment than myself, & if I am permited once more to be seated by the side of my best Friend, travelling homeward, my joy will almost obliterate what has past the last three months.
It will be twelve weeks day after tomw. since I have been out of the house, but once, and then only to speak to a Lady in her Carriage, but I hope we shall ride out next week. We shall not leave here till Doctor May thinks we can with great safety. The Dr has been unwearied in his attention to us. It has been very sickly in the City, & many deaths have taken place. Mrs. Tingey I am told to day, is departed. Her death has been expected a long time. Mr Tracy was sick with a Fever, & confined near 40 days, but is out again. He observed to us that it is not so bad to be sick as well people are apt imagine, there is so much pleasure in getting well again. Do give our best respects to our good Friends Judge, & Mrs. Cranch, and thank them for their kind solicitude for us.
Sunday 26th.
Mr C has just walked around the Ball room, which joins ours. Day before yesterday was the first of his walking without my assistance. I hope Miss Smith enjoys good health, my love to her & Susan.
We wish to be kindly remembered to Mr & Mrs J Adams, Mr & Mrs T Adams, Mr & Mrs. Quincy, & hope they with their families enjoy health.
In less than four weeks I hope we shall reach Philadelphia. Do be so good as to let us hear from you there. I need not say how much my Husband with myself venerates, & esteems, our late and good President, & to hear of his health & happiness with yours my Dear Madam will always give pleasure to us.
I was much gratified the other day in hearing a late Memr of Congress Mr Fowler who calls himself a Republican, say, that Mr John Adams had done more good to his Country, by one Act, than any other President ever did.
Your much Obliged
H Cushing