Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 5 March 1809
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear wife.
Washington 5. March 1809.

We have at length got through the argument on the Cause for which I came here. It was finished yesterday after having taken up nearly four days—The opinion of the Court will probably be given in the course of the week, and my intention is to leave this place, to-morrow week, which will be the 13th:—I depend therefore upon the pleasure of seeing you again at latest in three weeks from this day.
The Oath of office was yesterday administered to the new President in the chamber of the Representatives—He delivered a short speech, which you will without doubt see in the newspapers before you can receive this letter; it is in very general terms, and was spoken in a tone of voice so low, that scarcely any part of it was heard by three fourths of the Audience.
The body of the house was excessively crowded, and the galleries were equally thronged; which gave it altogether a very magnificent appearance—The City was very much crowded with Strangers, and I believe I may say without exaggeration that in the course of the day yesterday I saw more people, than in the whole time I have ever been here.
Immediately after the ceremony was performed the President and his Lady, received company at their own house; I paid my visit with your Mamma and Mr: and Mrs: Hellen—It was not at the President’s house, which Mr: Jefferson has not yet left—He was with the company who visited his successor.
In the Evening there was a Ball at Long’s, on the Capitol-Hill; the house which last Winter was kept by Stelle—The crowd there too was excessive—The rooms suffocating, and the entertainment bad—Your Sister Hellen literally took me with her, for I should not have gone, but at her special invitation that I would attend her—The President and his family were also there—and also Mr: Jefferson—I had some conversation with him in the course of the Evening, in the course of which he asked me whether I continued as fond of POETRY as I was in my youth—I told him yes—that I did not perceive I had lost any of my relish for good poetry; though my taste for the minor poets, and particularly for amatory verses was not so keen as it had been when I was young—He said he was still fond of reading Homer, but did not take much delight in Virgil.
Congress you know have broken up, after repealing partially the Embargo, after the 15th: of this Month, partially, and totally at the end of the next Session of Congress—substituting a non-intercourse with France and England to commence on the 20th: of May. I believe that nothing better upon the whole could have been done; though in Congress it did not suit the views of either party—My time, my reason and my feelings have been so much engross’d by the business which brought me here, that I have neither examined, nor felt much in relation to the public—
The Senate are to continue in Session two or three days—Principally for the purpose of receiving nominations of the Heads of Departments—Report announces very confidently who they are to be, and adds that there has been some perplexity in fixing upon them—It had been determined that Mr: Gallatin should be Secretary of State—Mr: R. Smith Secretary of the Treasury—Mr: Hamilton of S. Carolina, Secretary at War, and Dr: Eustis Secretary of the Navy—But it is understood that the nomination of Mr: Gallatin to the Department of State would have met with such strong opposition in the Senate, that it was doubtful whether the appointment would be confirmed—The arrangement therefore now is changed, and Mr: R. Smith is to be the Secretary of State—Mr: Gallatin remaining at the head of the Treasury.—Dr: Eustis is certainly to be Secretary of the Navy.
Mr: Blake has not yet arrived here; at least I have not seen him—If he should obtain some employment abroad, the occasion of uneasiness which you express, will cease—
I saw in the newspaper the paragraph to which I suppose you allude, admonishing the aspiring young federal members not to presume as Representatives of the People to have any opinions of their own—But I should not have suspected whence it came, nor whither it was directed, without the intimation in your letter.
As I was going up to the Capitol yesterday morning, I met Mr: Quincy, going in a Hack to Georgetown, to get a passage homewards—He had been disappointed in the expectation of going early in the morning—I suppose he will reach home about the time that you will get this letter.
I have been to Church again with the girls this morning; and heard Mr: Addison—Mr: and Mrs: Harper have been here since I began my letter, with the eldest Miss Caton—I think this young lady very beautiful; and wonder I never thought so before—
The roads as usual at this Season are breaking up; and the Stages as they come and go between here and Baltimore are breaking down—I hope the roads will be better before I leave this place—From Baltimore and New-York, I shall take the water passage—Your answer to this letter, could not get here before I shall be gone, but I shall long to hear from you so much that I would wish you to write me under cover to John A. Smith at New-York—requesting him to keep the letter untill I get there—I shall probably stop one day at Philadelphia.
In the hope of soon embracing you all once more in health and Spirits, I remain ever affectionately your’s.
A.


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 6 March 1809
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Sister,
Atkinson. March 6th. 1809

To tell you that I am exceedingly grieved, to hear that you have been very sick, would be to inform you, of what I am sure you already know. For, when three Sisters love each other, with such sincere affection, the One, does not experience Sorrow, Pain, or affliction of any kind, but the Others Heart wishes to relieve, & vibrates in tender Unison. Like a well organized musical Instrument, one string cannot be touched, without the whole being sensibly affected. And the One Sister, does not have cause to weep, but she feels assured, that a responsive sigh, is wasted upon the passing Gale. Yet still, we love to hear the voice of Pity, of Friendship, of Affection, the repetition of the kind assurance. It soothes— It imparts some healing power—
I know that while we live, we think we must "be up, & doing," even when our Friends think we are unable, & I fear you have taken repeated colds—It has been a long season of severe winter weather, which might occasion your circulations to be feeble, which always debilitates the System, & tends to bring on Rhumatism, & every other Disorder—The Dissentery which I heard you had, is not a common Complaint in the Winter—In a warm, wet season it more generally takes place, but at any time I consider it, as very alarming, & distressing—
I hope dear Sister, that you have quite recovered—And I should esteem it a favour, & very obliging in either of my cousins if they would set Pen to Paper, & let me know how you do—To communicate comfort, & pleasure should be, & I trust is their delight, & choice—
I have great reason to be thankful to a good Providence, for giving us a larger portion of health than usual—Abby is much better than ever I expected, though not so firm as before that dreadful attack of Puking the last year—
Mr Peabody went to Haverhill last week hoping at Mr Harrods to hear from you, & took tea at Mr Dodges, the House where I had so many years resided—It is a world of uncertainty, & change, no one is exempt, happy if the vicissitude ever proves for the better—
Mr Dodge is a man of good Intellects, sweet obliging disposition, & an excellent Heart; which he has devoted, like Samuel, early to the service of his God—Mrs Dodge, I fancy will please Haverhill People much—of pleasing manners, fine form—animated countenance, sociable, & unaffected, quite at her ease with every one—& a serious, virtuous woman—But her features are not marked, with strong lines of intelligence, which I have remarked, is not a usual defect in a  ministers Wife—They are & I believe will be, an happy Pair—
As soon as you are able to write, please let me hear from you—How your dear Daughter does, & hers—For all your Children, I shall ever feel a peculiar Interest—
I have sent on my Son five good shirts for winter, I have a number more here, he would not let his Sister put ruffles upon the Bosom—they look naked without—The old ones, & his old Stockings I wish should be laid aside, & I will put new feet to them—My best wishes attend all your family—Mr Peabody, & Abby present the best affections of the heart to the President & yourself—
I have written in a hurry, for the mail will close, & not take this, from your affectionate
E— Peabody


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 8 March 1809
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My dear Mother.
Washington 8. March 1809.

I had heard of your illness with extreme concern, from my wife, and also through Mr: Cranch and Mrs. Quincy—The sight of your hand-writing again, has given me the purest joy, though allayed by the evident weakness in which you wrote—I believe there is in the sentence I have just written there is something which might be called a bull—But my feelings both of pleasure and pain at the idea of your recovery and of your remaining indisposition are too strong to find correctness of expression.
The business upon which I came here has been such a continual and such an oppressive burthen both upon my time and upon my attention, that I have scarcely found an hour in a week, for writing to my wife, and to my clients—From the former I knew you would hear what I could write to her, and although I ought to have written to my father, I thought it scarcely possible for me to put pen to paper to him without saying something better omitted—I have indeed had as little time to attend to the course of public affairs, as for writing to my friends—While Congress was in Session I never could attend their debates excepting for a few minutes, three or four times in the House of Representatives, and once in the Senate—And as I have had as little leisure for perusing the debates in the newspapers, I dare say you have learnt from the public prints more of what has been doing here, than I have known, though upon the spot.
We have gone through the arguments on the principal cause for which I came here—They were finished last Saturday; and yesterday I also argued a question involved in both the others, upon which I expect a decision that will be final against us, though it would not be final in our favour—The chief Justice, and four other judges are here—Judge Chase and judge Todd, are absent—Mr: Chase, said to be dangerously ill—I called on Mrs: Cushing two days since; and she desired to be particularly remembered to you—The Chief Justice requested me also to present his respects to my father; and said if any thing could call him eastward as far as Boston, it would give him the highest pleasure to go and see him.
You will have all the accounts of the New President’s inauguration, and of his speech, before this letter can come to hand—On Monday he sent in to the Senate his list of nominations—Mr: R. Smith Secretary of State—Dr: Eustis Secretary at War—Mr: Paul Hamilton of South Carolina Secretary of the Navy—And Mr: Gallatin to remain at the head of the Treasury—Among the other nominations was my name as Minister to Russia—But the Senate yesterday resolved that it was not expedient to send a Minister to Russia—This Event is I believe, the best for myself and my family; and I hope it is the best for my Country—I never had either expectation or notice of the nomination untill within a half an hour of its being made.
The Court will sit about a week longer—I shall leave this place on my return home either next Monday, or at latest Wednesday—I hope to reach Boston at latest by the 25th: instt:
I am ever your affectionate Son.
John Quincy Adams


Title: From John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 12 March 1809
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

My dear Louisa.
Washington 12. March 1809.

Last night I received your kind favour of the 4th: instt: with the information the most delightful to my feelings, that my mother is recovering still, that the children are well, and that I may hope to find you so, upon my return.—May God Almighty grant that this hope may be realized.
This is the last Letter which I purpose to write you from this place—Yesterday the Supreme Court delivered their opinion upon the principal Cause for which I came—or rather they declined giving an opinion upon the question itself, and decided it against us on a defect in the pleadings—This is one of the mysteries of the Law, which I could not explain to you so as to make it intelligible—It has nothing to do with the real questions in the case—The Court thought it most prudent not to decide these.
There are two other cases in which I was engaged here, which will go off upon points equally immaterial to the questions of right and wrong between the parties—There have been five or six learned arguments upon them, in two of which I have taken my part—The Court are prodigiously perplexed about making up their opinions upon these points also; and I shall not wait for them any longer—
Wednesday morning the 15th: I intend taking my seat in the Stage for Baltimore. And I shall continue my journey by the water Stage to Philadelphia; and then from New-York to Providence by the passage of the Sound.
I think I wrote you on Thursday that Mrs: Buchanan was at Bladensburg and soon expected here—She arrived here with her husband that same Evening.—She is quite unwell, with a severe cough; which yesterday and this day has confined her to her chamber, and for which she has been bled by Dr: Patterson—Mrs: Boyd has also been very unwell for several days, but is I believe now recovering—Mrs: Hellen I think looks better than I have ever known since she was married—I should suspect she will grow fat—In which case I shall have somebody to keep me in countenance; for I continue to grow fat in spite of all my tribulations—Since the first week after I arrived here, when I was over-fatigued and unwell, I have more than recovered all the flesh I had lost. But my eyes have suffered by the intensity of my night-watches over my business; and I am more purblind than ever.
I have been to Church with Mr: Hellen, Mr: Buchanan, and the two girls, and heard Mr: Addison preach a sermon upon meekness—Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth—There was talk after the last day of the Congressional Session, of two or three probable duels between the ci-devant members—Among others, one was said to be necessary between Mr: Eppes and Mr: Key—but they did not fight—Whether they ever had any thought of fighting, or whether they concluded on second thoughts to abate their manly rage, and wait for opportunities of new conflicts with the tongue I am not informed, but Mr: Addison said much on the duty and obligation of forgiving injuries which I thought very just, and very wise.
The Union has arrived, after having been long expected—Mr: Gibbon brings dispatches from England, and Mr: Purviance from France—But still the news from Spain remains as contradictory as it had been for three weeks before—There has been an alteration in the English orders of Council, which will produce as I believe a material effect on the measures of Congress at their Session in May. I do not learn whether the reports that Buonaparte had repealed one of his most obnoxious decrees is also true.
I am going with Mr: Buchanan to dine at Mr: Boyd’s—Also with your mother and the girls. There is something between this family and that, which I much lo to perceive existing, but I know not what it is, and of which I have taken  because it has not been mentioned to me on either side—If it had been I should have been glad if it were in my power, to have reconciled parties, between whom I can conceive no reasonable ground of variance—Not knowing the cause, I have thought it would be considered that interference on my part would be officious
I dined yesterday with Mr: Cranch—If you should have the opportunity, let his friends at Quincy know, that he and his family were then well.
For a few days more, my dearest friend, farewell

John Quincy Adams.


Title: From William Cranch to John Quincy Adams, 15 March 1809
From: Cranch, William
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Sir,
Washington March 15. 1809.

Enclosed you have a copy of the agreement in the case of Fletcher v. Peck, which has been this day signed by Mr. Martin & filed with the Clerk.
The Court this morning, contrary to our expectations, decided the question of Jurisdiction as to corporations. A flood of light, it seems, burst upon the Judges, from a case cited yesterday, or the day before, by Mr. Swann, in arguing the case of Slacum v. Simms &c. Wise, to show that a Judge could not sit in his own case. The case is Civitas London v. Wood, in 12. Modern 669.— The point of the case is in p. 687. The Court secur’d to think that this case settled the point yo that they could enquire into the character of the members of the Corporation, for the purpose ascertaining the jurisdiction.
The opinion of the Ch. Justice is very long. It decides that the charter of the Bank of the U. S. gives it no peculiar right to sue in the Cts. of the U. S.—That a corporation aggregate, as such, can not be a citizen. But that citizens of a state may in their corporate name sue a citizen of Another state in the federal Courts.
That the Averment that the President, directors & Company of the Bk of the U. S. are citizens of the State of Pennsa. is a sufficient averment that all the members of the Corporation are citizens of that state.—The judgt. is reversed & the cause remanded for further proceedings, where upon a respondeas ouster, I suppose the Dfts will take issue upon the fact of citizenship & defeat the Bank, who, I imagine will never be able to get into a federal Court again; as I presume there is not a state in the Union in which some none of whose citizens are not stockholders.—The Judgment in the case of the Hope In. Co. v. Boardman, is reversed for want of Jurisdiction in the Circuit Court, there being no averment of citizenship.
yours affectionately
W. Cranch.
(all well) (The Ct. closed it’s session this morning)


Title: From Richard Cranch to Elizabeth Quincy Guild, 23 March 1809
From: Cranch, Richard
To: Guild, Elizabeth Quincy

                            Madam
                            Quincy March 23d 1809

Agreeably to your request I have been recollecting some particulars respecting the antient and honourable family of Quincy (from which you are descended) that I have met with in reading or that my long acquaintance with the family have brought to my knowledge. It appears from antient historians, particularly from Mathew Paris, who flourished in the thirteenth century, that Robert De Quincy came to England with William the Conqueror, and that his son Robert was father of Saer De Quincy who was created Earl of Winchester by King John in the year 1207. This Saer De Quincy was one of the barons who signed the Convention between that king and the Barons on which Magna Charta was founded. Our honourable friend, John Adams Esq, late President of the United States told me that he had seen the original signature yet preserved in the British Museum. Roger de Quincy son of Saer succeeded his father as Earl of Winchester in the year 1219, and died without issue male in the year 1264, when, I suppose, the title of Earl of Winchester ceased in that family. With respect to the origin of the name I would observe that the learned Camden informs us that “the surnames in families began to be taken up in France and England about the year of our Lord one thousand.” and he adds “that the most in number the most antient and of best account have been local, deduced from places in Normandy and the countries confining, being either patrimonial possessions or native places of such as served the Conqueror, or came in after out of Normandy.” The family of Quincy originally called themselves De Quincy as much as to say of Quincy; so I suppose they took their surname from some place of that name in Normandy, or not far from it. And here I will venture a conjecture.—I have found somewhere in my reading that there is a parish called Quincy in the diocess of Troyes in Champaign, where formerly stood the monastery of the Paraclete built in the twelfth century by the unfortunate Peter Abelard and afterwards given by him to his beloved Eloisa, when she took the veil. Why may not this probably be the place from whence the family took their name? I find that the name De Quincy has been of long continuance in France. The historian Philip de Comines who wrote in the latter part of the fifteenth century mentions that in the time of the war between the Duke of Burgundy and Charles the eighth, King of France a Gentleman by the name of Simon De Quincy was in high esteem at the Court of Burgundy, and was employed by the Duke to negotiate a peace between him and the King of France:—Since writing the above, the Hon. Mr. Adams (the late President) informed me that there is a town in France  in the diocess of Meaux, that is named Quincy; & that there was lately a Marquis de Quincy who wrote a military history of the wars under Lewis the 14th. The name and family also have been very honourable in England in antient times after they ceased to be Earls of Winchester; as appears by a letter from England written by a very sensible relation of yours, Miss Anna Quincy to your late brother Samuel Quincy Esqr dated at Oakley the 22d of April 1778. (Note) I suppose Oakley to be in the County of Northampton. In this letter she says—“You will find in the peerage of England that the daughters of those Earls (viz. of Winchester) married into the most illustrious families in this kingdom; and many of them now quarter the same arms that we use. There is a history of Northamptonshire by a Mr. Bridges only one volume of which was published, in which is an account of the family, and particularly of a daughter of an Earl of Leicester of our name being married to an Earl of Northampton, and Castle Ashby the seat of the present Earl of Northampton in this County was given as a marriage dower with that lady.”—In the same letter your cousin says further—“The Quincys no doubt came into England with William the Conqueror. One branch of the Family went to New England in Charles the First’s time being driven from this country by political and religious disputes.” The branch that your cousin alludes to was Edmund Quincy of whom I find honourable mention made in a Sermon preached by the Rev. Mr. Hancock (father of our late Governour) on the death of your Grandfather. In that sermon he says that “he came early into Boston, that he was a member of the Old Church there in the year 1638; and that he died in Boston about the thirty third year of his age; and that his son Edmund came and settled in Braintree; and was a Gentleman of distinction among our fathers, being one of his Majesty’s Justices of the peace and Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment there.” He died January 7, 1697/8 in the seventieth year of his age. This Col. Edmund Quincy had two wives. The late Norton Quincy Esqr was one of his descendants by his first wife (Joanna) and was the last of the name in that line. His second wife was Elizabeth the daughter of Major General Daniel Gookin of Cambridge. Your Grandfather Judge Edmund Quincy was his son by this second wife. He was educated at Cambridge and took his first degree in the year 1699. He was a man of piety and virtue and an ornament to the Christian profession. He was esteemed by his cotemporaries as one of the wisest and most prudent men of his day. He was early taken notice of by the public, and was made Colonel of the militia, a Judge of the Supreme Court and one of the King’s  Counsellors under the old royal government. And when matters of great importance to the (then) Province of Massachusetts were depending before the British Court, he was appointed to appear there in behalf of his native province. And accordingly he went on the publick business to London where he died of the small pox very soon after his arrival having taken the disorder by inoculation. He departed this life on the twenty third of February 1737 in the fifty seventh year of his age. He was buried in the dissenters’ burying ground in Bunhill fields, London, where a decent monument was erected to his memory with an elegant Latin inscription at the charge of the Province of Massachusetts. The Rev. Mr. Dunham, one of the London Dissenting ministers pronounced a handsome funeral oration at his grave. Your Grandmother Quincy was a daughter of the Rev. Mr. Josiah Flint, Pastor of the Church at Dorchester and was sister to the learned and venerable Henry Flint Esqr, who was for many years a tutor at Harvard College. She outlived your Grandfather but about six months. She died suddenly on the 29th of August 1737 in the 60th year of her age, leaving four children, two sons and two daughters viz Your uncle Edmund Quincy Esqr, your father, your aunt Wendell and your aunt Jackson. Since that time you are well acquainted with their posterity and the circumstances of the family. I think it worthy of observation that the Quincys have been friends to liberty and the rights of the people from the most antient times. When the English barons made that noble stand in the beginning of the 13th Century, that obliged King John to grant the Magna Charta, Saer De Quincy was one of them. And although more than five centuries have rolled away since that great event, yet the spirit has not been lost. Your worthy brother, Josiah Quincy Esqr (whom I dearly loved from his childhood) in the most trying times of our Revolution, exerted his great abilities, with success, in favour of the rights of the people, which were again infringed by a successor of him, who was forced to grant the great charter of English Liberties. I am peculiarly happy to find that his son has risen up in his father’s stead, as our defender, at a time when our dearest rights are again in danger of being taken from us by internal corruption and political deceit; and that he has supported our cause in Congress, with that strength of Argument and firmness of spirit, which neither the reason of his opponents could answer, nor their shameless effrontery dismay.—That the same love of country with a like ability to exhibit it in defence of its rights may long continue to be the honour of your family is the wish of your most obedient servant

Richard Cranch

I hope, Madam, that your candour will excuse the faults in the writing and composition of this Letter when you consider that the writer of it is in the eighty third year of his age.P.S. The late Martin  Quincy Esqr. was the only son of the Hon. Colonel John Quincy & was educated at Cambridge, where he took his first degree in 1736. He left no children & was the last of the name of Quincy, in that line of the family.


Title: From John Adams to Elizabeth Quincy Guild, 25 March 1809
From: Adams, John
To: Guild, Elizabeth Quincy

Mrs. Guild—
Quincy March 25 1809

I am much pleased with your curiosity to investigate the history of your connections Ancestors, and as Mr. Cranch has permited me to see what he has written, and I happen to possess some books that he has not; I take the liberty freedom to make a small addition—
In the second Vol of Blackstone’s Law Tracts, are the great Charter, and the Charter of the Forest with other authentic instruments to which is prefixed an introductory discourse containing the History of the Charter—
In the 32d Page of the introduction the Earl of Winchester was elected by the rest of the Nobility to be guardian of the Liberty of their Country in pursuance of the Charter—In Page 74 He mentions the Originals preserved in the British Museum—This Original I saw, and Mrs. Adams saw with me in the British Museum when we were in England—
In the 39 Page of the second part of this Vol. is the Convention between King John and his Barons. Hic est conventio faeta inter dominum Johaneni Regini Angliae et una parte et Roberteau &c &c &c et Saeclum Comitum Wint &c &c i. e. Saer de Quincy Earl of Winchester.—This original signature and Seal Mrs. Adams and I saw in the Museum—.
In Page 199 of Mat. Paris History of England in the Reign of King John & comte Winton i. e. Saer de Quincy last Earl of Winchester is mentioned as a witness to Kings submission to the Pope—In Page 220 he is mentioned again as Comes Wintoncenses as one of the Barons elected to superintend the observances of the great Character obtained at Runingmede, or as it is here spelled Riemingmede?—
In Page 201 line 34 he is mentioned again as one of the Officers of the army who was sent out to reconnoitre the forces of an Enemy and his Report is mentioned in Page 249 line 42. as Saerus Comes Wintonienses. As a Commander engaged in a Battle apud Linconianis between the King and his Barons.—
In Page 255 line 31 he is mentioned Saero Wintonieus, and as arriving at Danietta among the noble Crusaders.
In Page 261 line 29 his death is mentioned in these words Hoc anno i. e. obierent Henricus de Bounx Comes Hertfordia Saerus de Quincy Comes Wintonienses In Page 736 line 94. is mentioned the death of the Countess of Winchester daughter of the Earl of Hereford in 1252.
In Page 791, line 50 I find another Charter of Concession from King John to S. Comites Wintonia in 1256, in confirmation, concluding "Si quis contra hoc in aliquo tempore veniret, maledietionem dei omnipotentus et nostrum in currat—
In Page 363 line 34. In 1236 in the reign of Henry 3d I find mention of Rogero de Quincy Comite Wintoniensi who after a Battle with the Scots in which he was victorious was rewarded by the King with a Wife, and daughter of Alani de Galewia—
In Page 524 line 20 Comes Wintoniencis Rogerus is mentioned among alii quam plures magnates who wentwith to the King Henry 3d. and made querensorium gravum against him for his injusticeIn Page 613 line 5 R Comes Wintonia is mentioned among the other Barons who made remonstrances to the Pope against his oppressions.
In Page 620 line 58, Comitissa  quaque Albermarliæ, fille filia Alani de Galeweia sarorque Comitessa Wintonia Esdem tempore humanis rebus est exempta.Unde Magna pars Galaweia, eam contingens (eo quod sine liberis decessit.)—In sortem Comites Wincestrice, Rogeri de Quincy qui primo genitam sororum in uxorium dux-erat est translatat—
In Page 646 line 13 Comes Wintonia is mentioned among the other Nobles and Prelates assembled in Parliament in London in the Reign of Henry 3d, 1248 in which warm remonstrances were made against his Tyranny &c—In Page 363 line 34 quoted imperfectly before are these words "Qua victoria Res potitus Deum magnificavit, Dominus seilint exercittium. Et sano factus consolis, dedit in mandatis Rogero de Quincy Comite Wintoninsi, Johan de Baliol et Willielmopilis Comites de Aubemarlia, quod sient tres sorores scilicet et plia’s Alani de Galewia sibi matrimonio copularunt jain in pace jura cos contingentia, sedato monultu possederuntta
In Page 670 line 2 Anno 1250 Robt. de Quincy with many other Earls and Bishops is mentioned as following the King of France into the Holy Land, tam Prelati quam milites.In Page 809 line 47— Obeirunt -qui viri desidiorum in sua florente atate Robertus de Quincy et Willielmus the Longasfrata et Alaniis de Watsaudoy.—
In Page 206 line 11 Et tune igitur Rex Johanses praconreceptionceptum propositions propositum suum aquo credidit aesilire et suam caput conditionam deteriorare; et deterioratam in permiciam regui solidaro Oderat quippe quasi vivus vipere—am omnes regui generosos prascipue tamen Saer de Quincy, Robertum filium Waltori et Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum Stephanum Noverat autem et multiplici dedicerat experientia quod Papa supercilis et ad omnia scelera pra praemiis datis vel promisses caseum et proclivum. Missis igitur sub omni fistinatione Hunciis magnam thesauri summan ipsi transanisit, ea conditione ut naeta subtiliten occasione Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum Conpuedere interater et Barones Angliae quos prius soverat & communicaret. Et hoc saticuler desiderabat et in excommunicatos exheredando. incarcerendo et necando posset malignari.
Quæ igitur nequiter subarraverat, nequias ut in sequentibus dicetur solidavit.
In Page 261 line 2d hoc anno 1220 obierunt Henricus de Bourn Comes Hertfordill Saerus de Quincy Comes Wintoniensis—
There are three Indexes to Matthew Paris in Watt’s Edition in 1684 London–1 Index Rerum et Verborum 2d Index Comiteus et Baronum 3d Index Cognominum scies familiarum. In the two last Indexes the Name of Quincy is found with reference to the Pages where the Persons are mentioned—
In the Nouveaux Dictionaire Historique Article Quincy there is mentioned a Marquis de Quincy a Lieut General of Artillery who distinguished himself in the last Century by his courage and his love of Letters. He published in 1720 the Military History of Lewis the 14th: in seven Volumes in twelves which are bound in Octavo—It is very useful for those who apply themselves to the profession of War, and wish to study marches, campaigns, and the other military operations of War.—This Work I have seen in Paris.
In the French Dictionaire de Trevoux Article Quincy, it is said that Quincy is the Name of a Town in France in the Brie in the Diocess of Maux that is the see of the famous french Orator Rosseut.
Your Uncle Edmund Quincy Esqr. gave to his Grand-daughter the Arms of the Quincy family with an inscription under it in these words, Saer de Quincy, Son of Robert, Son of Saer, was by King John anno regni I made Earl of Winchester Obiit Anno 1219 quarto Henrieco Tortie. His bowels and heart had honourable interment in the Abbey of Gerondon in Compt Leicester. Bears Gules seven masculs ore 38 &c &c. Vide Mills’s Catalogue. Mr Valuois shewed it to me in England and allowed me to have a copy of it taken which Copy I have now in my possession.
You know the History and character of Dr Quincy the Author of the Lexicon Medicum, and of a Clergyman of that Name who published a Vol of Sermons and that both these claimed relations to your Grandfather.
Miss Hanah Quincy made a visit to Mrs. Adams in London and was married while we were there— This Lady you know was once in  America.
All the Branches of families who bear the name have the Arms of the Earls of Winchester—
Madam Quincy my Wifes GrandMother told me that her husband was possessed of a Pedigree in Parchment in which the family was traced from the time of William the Conqueror down to the first of the Name who emigrated to New England that she lent it to Mr. Edmund Quincy your Uncle but could never get it back.—Mrs. Sewell when she was here last told me it was taken out of her fathers parlour at Braintree.
It would be no compliment to a Lady to send her so much crabbed Latin, but your Sons will take a pleasure in making it intelligible, and may one day think themselves obliged for that pleasure to you and their well wisher and / Humble Servt
John Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 10 April 1809
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

my dear daughter:
Quincy, April 10th, 1809.

Your two last letters of March 10th and 23d, came safe to hand. They gave me great pleasure, not only from learning by them that you enjoyed good health, but your spirits were more animated from your little excursions from home, and from your prospects with respect to your family. I most sincerely rejoice in any event which looks like prosperity. Your trials have been many and various. You have hitherto been supported through them with dignity and firmness, with Christian patience I trust, and due submission to the allotments of Providence. It will greatly tend to improve our wisdom, to promote our piety, and increase our pleasure, to take frequent and particular views of our lives, and to observe the changes which have taken place in our circumstances, from time to time, in connection with the means and instruments which have been employed, and through which we have succeeded or failed in our enterprises, that by experience we may learn wisdom; and put our trust and confidence in that Being who holds the lives and fortunes of individuals in his hands, as well as the fate of kingdoms and nations. Let us say with Pope,—“What blessings thy free bounty gives, Let us not cast away.”
If we have not all we may wish, we have all that is best for us. When I look back upon my past days, I can see many faults, many errors, both of omission and commission, for which I have need of pardon and forgiveness. Many are the blessings which I have received, and am still in the enjoyment of. One of the first I consider the life and health of your father; who, thank God, is still vigorous, and in the full possession of his mental faculties, although the tremour upon his nerves I think increases. His books and his pen are his constant amusement. The effusions of his pen, though only a private letter, written in reply to two gentlemen, strangers to him, have drawn down upon him the abuse of the federal party. These gentlemen wrote him, by direction of a number who had met together for the purpose of consulting upon public affairs, a very respectful and handsome letter, addressing him as their venerable father, to whom they applied for counsel and advice; whose age, experience, long and faithful services, and sacrifices in the cause and service of his country, entitled him to its confidence and its gratitude. To this letter, which was a very long one, he returned the enclosed reply without any idea of its being published. I recollect our visit to the Baron de Stael; but think we did not dine with him; that, however, is not a matter of consequence. I enclose to you the letter. You see they made the most of it for electioneering purposes. I have lived to see the day, when those who were the most clamorous against your father and his administration, now speak what I believe was then their true sentiments, though the spirit of party led many to deny the truth; and the desire of power and influence stimulated them to pull down an administration under which they saw little hope of obtaining it. For it is very true, that the federal party were as hungry and rapacious after office, as ever their opponents have been, and of a spirit quite as selfish and intolerant. I once said, or rather wrote to Mr. Jefferson, “if you are a freeman, and can act yourself, you can do more than either of your predecessors could.” Such was the bitterness of the federal party, or rather the leaders of it, and  was one of them, that they would not hear a word of any nomination to office, of even the cool and moderate republicans. There will never be any harmony between parties, until public offices can be shared; and this your father used to tell them. The leaders in our State have gone great lengths, assumed powers which belong only to the national government; and are meditating schemes which they dare not openly avow; and which your father and mother think destructive to the Union, and independence of the country, and which will subjugate us to the power and domination of Great Britain. It was for lifting this veil, and declaring his private opinion and judgment, that writers in the federal papers have come out with as barefaced falsehoods, and as scurrilous language, as was ever used by the jocobins.
The times are perilous, and the country must not be forsaken by its friends, although men revile and persecute for righteousness’ sake. May the blessing pronounced upon such, descend upon those who have hazarded life, health, fame, and fortune, to save their country.
Adieu, my dear daughter. Remember me kindly to the Colonel, Mrs. S. &c., and be assured of the tenderest love of / Your affectionate mother,

Abigail Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 19 April 1809
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
Quincy April 19. 1809 a date of good omen.

Please to deliver the inclosed three sheets to the Boston Patriot.

J. Adams.


Title: To John Adams from Joseph Adams, 24 April 1809
From: Adams, Joseph
To: Adams, John

Green April the 24th: 1809

these from your friend and cusen Joseph Adams that went from Braintree to Uxbridge in the year 1755 in february—
to Mr John Adams Esq and former president of the united States Sir these lines may inform you that I am as well as can be expected for an old man in the 79th yare of my age through the goodness of god I am contineued to this day hoping these Lines will find you and your family well I Live with my oldest son Samuel Adams he and his family are well his seven Children have had the mumpes Lately but getting beter I would inform you Sir of my former Situation in Life I have had a greate dele of sickness I have had two wives my first wife Died march the first 1773 I marred a Second in July 1776 and She Died sence I moved to Green in the county of Kennebeck in the year 1807 in the 76th yare of her Age I moved from uxbridge to this town in october 1803 I moved to ablige my Children I have had six children and but three Liveing them are All sons they are all marred wives and got chilldren there names are Samuel and Joseph and David Joseph Adams has a son by the name of John and Davud has a son by the name of John to keep up the name of John in the famely of the Adamses my son Davud Lives in the same town his wife is bin sick and had wotchers all most six mounths and Look it upon to be near her End with a consumption I had a son by the name of moses he Died in the year 1788 in october in the 19 year of his age he went from home well and was brought home a corps as shocking a thinge to me as I Evere meet with he by accident fell into the flume of a grstmill and killed instently
Sir I Bege Leve to send a paper to you in my Letter to inform you sir that it was put into my hand the night before our April meting for the choice of govener by one of the Republeican party I take it to turn my vote from the course of Gore to the Seat of goverment I Did not think it a paper of your forming or that you Ever knew of I looked upon it to be a form of that parties making and I am not alone in it I call my self a federelest but there is but tow of that party in this town there was but 18 votes for gore in this town sir I with sum others would wish for a Letter in Return to me how it is if it was from you sir I Should be glad to know it or if not to knowe it please to give my Regardes to them that I Shall name if Living to your Brother peter B Adams to Decon Benjaman Bass Capt Samuel Bass and the widow of Ebenezer Adams and their children and the famely of the Nightingale and the widow of Daniel Baxer and Seth Spear they being an old acquaintence of mine and Send in your Letter in Return to me who of them are Living and who are not and John Baxter the Deaf & Dum man whether he be Living or not I have not ben to Braintree sense the year 1790 I have heard from them a number of times when I was in Bostown I have not Seen your self above 40 years but have heard from you a number of times and maney ways if you send me a Letter it to the post office in Green in the county of Kenebeck these from your friend Joseph Adams  I under stand the North Parrish is caled by the name of Quincy sense a saw the town I Rote in this Letter that my Son David Adamss wife had ben sick all winter but before I had sealed the Letter to Send to the post office She Died may the first day when I began this Letter I had not heared of a treaty between the contending partys I was glad to heare of it I hope it will put an end to the contention amongst our selves it seemed as if we must sune had war amongst our selves no more at present
exchuse my por writing and speling  yours to serve
Joseph Adams


Title: From John Adams to John Quincy Adams, 29 April 1809
From: Adams, John
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Son
29th. Ap. 1809

Please to convey the three inclosed Sheets to the Printers. I beg of you to come up in the Stage. I cannot come to Town as I intended to bring you and your dear Boy. Your Brother is Sick at Dedham. We have been obliged to Send for him and I have neither Horses nor Horse
J Adams


Title: From Thomas Boylston Adams to William Sullivan, 6 May 1809
From: Adams, Thomas Boylston
To: Sullivan, William

Dear Sir,
Boston 6th May 1809.

Mr: Thomas Greenleaf, who read law in my Office, for the space of Two years and nine months, and who is now under your professional guidance and direction, pursued, while with me, as near as I recollect, the following course of study. Viz: Robertson’s History of Ch: 5th: 1 Vol: Blackstone’s Commentaries Cook Litt: Wood’s Institute—Woodeson’s lectures—Espinasse N P. Fearne on Remainders & Devises; Park on Insurance; Chitty on Bills of Exc. Statutes of the Commth & Massachusetts Term Reports. The Title Please & pleading in Bacon’s Abridgt, and some other titles which Mr G. will remember better than I can. He has dipp’d occasionally into the Reporters, and has revised a second & third time some of the books above enumerated. Of his improvement and acquisitions in the profession, you will soon form a judgment; I can venture to recommend him as a Gentleman & a Schollar, and subscribe with great / esteem & respect. / Your friend & Servt
Thomas B AdamsQuincy 6th: May 1809
Mr: Thomas Greenleaf entered as a Student at Law in my Office, at Quincy, on the 29th of July at 1806, and pursued his studies with assiduity & diligence until the first of May instant.
Thomas B Adams.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 13 May 1809
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

My Dear Daughter:
Quincy, May 13th, 1809.

I have not had a line from you for several weeks. Your father visits the post-office every post day; and, although he frequently returns with his pockets full of letters, I do not find among them the superscription which is dearer to me than all the rest. You must know, since he has publicly avowed himself the father of the whole nation, he has a most prodigious number of letters from his adopted offspring, some of which he replies to, and some lie unanswered. He has also become a writer in the public paper called the Patriot, one of which I sent you; and, I have reason to think, done much good to his country, by his publication in defence of our seamen. Although maligned and abused by the Anglo-American party, his arguments have silenced, if not convinced them; though, I suppose, they will be like those whom Hudibras describes:— “He who is convinced against his will, Is of the same opinion still.”He is also publishing a series of papers and documents respecting the mission which he sent to France in the year 1799, and which was so much censured by * * * and his party, and used by them as a powerful weapon to assail and abuse the administration, although the mission terminated the honour, peace, and prosperity of the country. * * * who thirsted for a war with France, finding his views frustrated in his determination to change the Executive, like Samson in pulling down the pillar, overthrew himself and his federal friends. “He has passed away,” but the baneful influence of his ambitious views still remain; he left his mantle upon the essex junto, whose objects and views are anti-American. I enclose to you another Patriot, which contains subjects which will amuse you, and in which you will feel a family interest. The clouds which overspread our horizon and looked so dark and gloomy as to threaten us with a volley of electric fluid, appear to be dispersing. “Returning Justice lifts aloft her scales;” may we not be found wanting when weighed in the balance, but be as ready to do justice as to receive it.
When I sit down to write, I feel as though I could not pen a paragraph worth penning. My fire is out, my wit decayed, my fancy sunk. I long to imbibe a draught of that enthusiasm which is the wine of life; which cheers and supports the mind. What noble or tender emotion of the mind is excited without producing a degree of it? It is, to use the expression of the Letters from the Mountains, “the fan in summer and the fur in winter;”—pray have you met with these Letters from the Mountains? If you have not, I will certainly send them to you; they are written by a Mrs. Grant, who was once in America; her father was a British officer who was stationed in some fort beyond Albany, upon the frontiers, for she speaks of her Mohawk friends; her father was susperseded, and removed with his family to Albany, where he rented a small farm of Madam Schuyler, relict of Col. Schuyler, who was the father of the late Gen. Schuyler. Of this lady she draws a most interesting and amiable character; as she lived near to her, she was frequently with her, and passed two whole winters with her when she was only eight years of age. She says that Madam Schuyler, seeing her one day reading Milton’s Paradise Lost with delighted attention, appeared astonished to see a child take pleasure in such a book, and no less so, to observe that she loved to sit thoughtful by her and hear the conversation of elderly and grave people. She adds, whatever culture my mind has received I owe to her: beyond the knowledge of my first duties, I should scarce have proceeded, or rather I should have become almost savage in a retreat which precluded me from the advantages of society as well as those of education. It appears by her letters that she left America just before the Revolution, and accompanied her father to the Highlands of Scotland; and that he was stationed for some time at a fort called Augustus. From these mountains her letters are written; they contain a series of years, from 1773 to 1801. I have never met with any letters half so interesting; her style is easy and natural, it flows from the heart and reaches the heart. In the early part of her life, and before she met with severe trials and afflictions, her letters are full of vivacity, blended with sentiment and erudition. Though secluded from the gay world, she appears well acquainted with life and manners. Her principles, her morals, her religion, are of the purest kind;“Her mind was moral as the preacher’s tongue.”
These letters contain so much matter particularly adapted to your situation and retirement, that when you read them you will call her sister-spirit, and imbibe for her kindred sentiments. When I took them up I had not formed any very favourable impression respecting them; but the more I read, the more I was delighted, until that enthusiasm which she so well describes, took full possession of my soul, and made me for a time forget that the roses had fled from my cheeks, and the lustre departed from my eyes; or that I was “Like a meagre mope adust and thinIn a loose nightgown of my own wan skin.”Nor was willing to believe, with Ossian, that age is dark and unlovely. I went back to the “Tales of the times of old,” and felt the sparks of fancy kindle at the touch of memory, whilst I retraced the age of seventeen, with all its hopes and expectations. I long to communicate to you this rich mental feast, “this feast of reason, and this flow of soul.” Mrs. S— will share it with you.
May, 21.
This letter has lain unfinished for several days as you will see by the date, during which the weather has been cold, foggy, and gloomy; the season ungenial until yesterday, when the warm influence of the sun unfolded the buds; and the garden blooms like Eden. All this I have waited impatient to hear from you, and learn“How springs the tender plant, how blows the balmy grove;How nature paints her colours!”or whether stern Boreas still usurps the domain of Vertumnus and banishes Flora from her rightful abode. To descend to plain prose, how is the season with you? Girls, be silent: you would wonder how I can write a line, surrounded and interrupted twenty times within this hour.
Here comes little John: ‘grandmamma, I have lost my fourpence in the grass, when I was at play; now I cannot buy me a sword; won’t you give me another?’ Hush child; don’t you see I am writing?  ’Then in runs Elizabeth holding up her little arms for me to take her. Away with you all, or I will lock the door.
I heard of our dear Caroline last week. I know you must deprive yourself of much enjoyment in parting with her; yet I think you did right to make the sacrifice. A total seclusion from that society, which at her age is desirable, might in process of time injure her. She has so much life and such a flow of spirits that shade, solitude, and retirement, would not so soon affect her as one of a more languid temper. We are all, in a measure, children of habit, and are apt to contract the manners and habits of those we most frequently see and converse with. Where there is mind there is manners; but even in a college, we see that although science may form and enlighten the understanding, it is only by mixing with polished society that the rust is rubbed off, and the manners embellished and refined.
My paper will not allow me more space than to repeat what you are not now to learn, that I am, / Ever your affectionate mother,
Abigail Adams.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 23 May 1809
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

my dear daughter:
Quincy, May 23, 1809

Yesterday your father brought me the much–desired packet. You mention General Eaton’s town–meeting speech, which I had seen. I presume he was in spirits when he made it; his virulence against Mr. —— is really personal—thereby hangs a tale. Mr. Lear, you know, made a treaty with Tripoli, which, through the misrepresentation of Eaton and his intrigues, had like to have been rejected by the Senate. Mr. —— thought Lear sustained and defended him and his treaty so ably, as to convince the Senate, and the treaty was ratified. Eaton also made, as he thought, very inadmissible demands of money, and that to a great amount, which Mr. —— opposed, though in this he was not successful. All this was enough to make Eaton his enemy. Eaton is a bold, daring adventurer, with considerable talents, but without judgment, prudence, or discretion; he is too well known to do any essential injury. His story of a mission to Constantinople, is all a vision of his own imagination, never heard of before by any one.
I fear we are very ungrateful for the many favours Heaven is bestowing upon us. When we have been threatened with calamities, and the scenes have been most gloomy and distressing in our view, we have been saved from the horrors and calamities of war, by the returning justice of the offending powers. I am full of the mind that the election of Mr. Madison to the Presidency has had a powerful weight in the British Cabinet to bring them to terms of accommodation. According to Lord Grenville’s speech in the House of Lords, and M. Whitbread’s in the House of Commons, the embargo and non–intercourse act, had a much greater effect on England than even the best informed Americans believed. It affected their revenue as much as it did ours: it deprived them of raw materials for their factories, and would, if continued much longer, have starved thousands.
I believe I read the whole of the documents and correspondence between our own government, and that of the belligerents, as they are called, and I most solemnly declare that I could not see any disposition to favour one nation more than another; but the strictest impartiality which justice required. I read them too, with a scrutenizing eye, because so much had been said both in Congress and out of doors respecting a partiality to France: so much has the malignant spirit of party blinded and misled the people. There is no despotism like that practised by the rulers of opinion. Virgil, in one of his odysseys, describes Æolus as confining the winds in a bag, and relates the terrible havoc they made when unskilfully let loose. We may compare the spirit of party to these winds, which blew the embers of discontent in flames, and threatened destruction to every obstacle which opposes their progress.
I dare not trust myself with describing to you how much I want to see you. On reflecting upon the barriers which age and infirmities, as well as many other obstacles placed between us, that I still possess the faculty of communicating with you by letter, is a source of enjoyment to me. How many blessings does the bountiful hand of Providence scatter in various proportions, to alleviate the sorrows and sufferings of a state only meant as the pathway to felicity.
I am writing by candle–light, whilst all around me are fast bound in sleep. My eyes suffer; but there is a tranquillity around me that the busy cares of the day interrupt and obstruct: even faithful Juno lies snoring beside me. Tell Mrs. S—— that her sister Sally wonders she does not write to her. We are all well. Adieu, my dear daughter. The clock strikes 12, and I must retire to rest, or suffer on the morrow.
Your affectionate mother,
A. Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 5 June 1809
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw

Quincy June 5 1809

I was unable to replie to my dear sisters Letter of May 19th. being visited by St Anthony who scourged me most cruelly. I am sure I wished well to the Spanish patriots in their late struggle for their Liberty. I bore no ill will to the portegeze whose tutelar Saint thus wantonly beset me, I wish he had been preaching to the fishes, who according to tradition, have been his Hearers, for so ill did he use me, that I came very near loosing my senses, I think he must be a very bigoted saint, a favourer of the inquisition, and a tyrant. in short if such are the pennances of saints, I hope to hold no further intercourse with them; for four days and nights my face was so swelld and inflamed that I was almost blind, except in the Ague and fever I do not recollect so high a fever, and untill the 3d day third day; when I sent for the Dr, I knew not what was the matter I have been confined ten days. the Redness, has not yet left my face, altho other symptoms have gone of. I rode out a few miles to day, and feel much better: I think a ride of some distance would be of service to me, but I find as years and infirmities increase, that my courage and enterprize diminish: I often think when my family were young around me: I used to be more at leisure, and could leave it with less anxiety than I can now, there is not any occasion of detailing, the why, and the wherefore; it is said as goods riches increase those increase that Eat them, but how is it, when the Eaters increase more than the wealth? if there be bread enough and to spare, unless a prudent attention manage that sufficiency, the fruits of diligence will be scatterd by the hand of dissipation. I have always wished to impress upon the minds of my children, that no man ever prospered in the world, without the consent, and cooperation of his wife, how few of the our sons and daughters, take this prudent caution into consideration, it behoves us who are parents to give such an Education to our children as shall qualify them for the usefull, and domestic duties of Life. the finer accomplishments such as musick dancing and drawing serve to Embellish and sit off the picture, but the ground work must be formed of more durable coulours: I hold it as indispensable that every American wife should herself know how to order and regulate her family, how to govern her domesticks, and train up her children. for this purpose, the all wise creator made woman an help meet for man, altho surrounded with all the abundence of paridice, “Eden was tasteless, till an Eve was there” altho every creature was intended for his aid and delight, the flower with its beauty and fragrance the tree, with its nutricious fruit; the animal tribes, with all their powers of ministring satisfaction to the senses or to the mind. Adam beheld them with delight, the understanding was employed, but the Heart wanted its object, a tender sympathetic ear to which he could say in unison join & say,
“These are thy glorious works, parent of good
Almighty, thine this universal Frame.
Thus wondrous fair; but where have I rambled; into Eden be sure, but this is not my abideing place—”
has your son sent you, or his sister the Letters from the mountains? he has patronized the publication, they are the finest selection of Letters I have ever read I am much delighted with them, as you will be when you read them, you may with safety recommend them to all your young female acquaintance. they contain no principle either in morals manners or religion, but those which I can most heartily assent and subscribe to, read them, and give me your opinion of them
Mrs Adams desires me to say to you that her regret was equal to yours, in not being able to see you in her late visit to Haverhill. She had a hired Horse, and was confined to a weeks stay. She has left a part of herself. I miss the dear little chatterer, and but for her mothers situation and comfort would not have parted with her, we have an other little darling to whom we are getting equally attached; the world is wide enough for them, and the old are quiting the stage to give places to them—as our Fathers have done for us. our dear Friend Dr Tufts is raised once more to bless us a little longer. I thought for a good while that we should have lost him, but heaven be praised, he has not yet done all the good assigned to him—his course is not yet finished—
I want to recommend to you, and to mr Peabody a Newspaper under the tittle of the Boston Patriot if any of your acquaintance take it in Haverhill—you will find in it, those truths which are hidden from the public in general or so disguised and misrepresented by all the federal papers as to mislead those who wish well to their Country, and who are of no party but that of Truth and justice. there are a Number of Letters published in them by him whom you justly stile the Friend and Father of his Country—the papers commence April 19 & continue weekly to this day—my paper reminds me to close, so indeed do my eyes which are yet weak affectionatly your Sister

A Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Abigail Amelia Adams Smith, 19 June 1809
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Smith, Abigail Amelia Adams

my dear daughter:
Quincy, June 19th, 1809.

I yesterday received your letter of June 1st. I think letters are longer upon their passage than they used to be, when you were at Quincy. Since I wrote to you in May, I have been visited by St. Anthony, and most severely scourged by him: he first attacked one of my ears, but as I was wholly ignorant of the holy visiter, I paid little attention to him, except endeavouring to quiet him by bread and milk; but when he seized my face, eyes, and head, I was obliged to bow to him, and acknowledge his power—even send for a physician and exorcise him. I swelled to such a degree, that I could see my cheeks project beyond my nose; the fever was violent, and the pain in my head excruciating. It kept continually flashing up, and reminded me of poor Mr. Bishop, who called it the northern lights: it lasted me ten days, before it entirely left me; but I have been comforted by Dr. Dexter, who sent me word, that an attack of it, like that which mine was described to be, was as good as a fit of the gout, to mend the constitution. It is certain I have felt much better since than I did before.
You alarm me when you tell me that you have preserved my letters, and collected them together, in order to transmit them to Caroline. Your affection and your partiality to your mother, stamp a value upon them which can never be felt by those less interested in them; they are letters written without regard to style; and scarcely ever copying a letter, they must be very incorrect productions, and quite unworthy preservation or perpetuity: do not let them out-live you; you may select a few, perhaps, worth transmitting, but in general, I fear, they are trash. Can you inform me who is the editor of the Albany Register? he is republishing your father’s letters, with high encomiums upon them. I presume he is a republican, because no praise comes now from any other quarter, except when you find a genuine American, of which there are a small number who can judge impartially. I mean by this, that the spirit of party so warps the judgment, and blinds the understanding, as to lead good and honest men blindfold. I enclose to you, your father’s letter upon the King of England’s proclamation, which was first published in the Boston Patriot, the demand of which became so great, as to induce the printer to publish them in a pamphlet. His text, as he calls it, is a quotation from Col. Pickering’s letter, to which your brother replied, and which cost him his seat in the Senate; but which I consider one, amongst many others, of his disinterested actions and true love of his country, and which will thus be considered by an impartial historian.
No one can accuse Mr. Madison for want of a frank and honourable spirit of accommodation with Great Britain. When she held out her hand with a spirit of conciliation, he received it with true magnanimity; and I rejoiced sincerely that our causes of animosity were to be removed. I own I am not satisfied with the subsequent conduct of the British Ministry: what powers the new minister may be clothed with, time must disclose. I feel at present safe in the hands of Mr. Madison. I presume he will not permit himself to be cajoled into any relinquishment of our national rights, or infringement of our independence. Whatever predilection Mr. Jefferson had in favour of France, or has against Great Britain, I believe, in his public transactions, he strove to act with impartial justice towards both. I read all the despatches with care and attention, expecting to find what had so often been declared, a blind partiality towards France, and hatred towards England; but justice requires me to say, that I could discover no such thing: and when party spirit yields to reason and sober sense, this will be the equitable decision. I wish I could justify all Mr. Jefferson’s measures with the same candour; but to his own Master, he must stand or fall.
The federalists are courting Mr. Madison—let them do him no wrong, and I am one who at present believe that he will do no wrong to his country. With respect to Mrs. Madison’s influence, it ought to be such as Solomon describes his virtuous woman to be—one who should do him good and not evil all the days of her life, so that the heart of her husband may safely trust in her. I believe I may say with safety, that her predecessors left her no evil example.
* * * * * *
Our friends are all well. That health is a blessing, which may be enjoyed by all of us, is the sincere wish of / Your affectionate mother,
A. Adams.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 June 1809
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

Dear Son
Quincy June 28th 1809

Coll. Bradford came out to day with a card of invitation from the Govenour, and an other from the Govr and Senate requesting your Father to celebrate the fourth of july with them, he has accepted the invitation. if you receive an invitation, both your Father and I advise you to accept it. if you do not, I shall depend upon the pleasure of seeing you at Quincy with Mrs Adams Kitty & the children—
your affectionate / Mother
A Adams—
We wish you to dine with us on Saturday


Title: From William Steuben Smith to John Quincy Adams, 1 July 1809
From: Smith, William Steuben
To: Adams, John Quincy

My dear Sir,
New York July 1st. 1809.

I have this day heard of your appointment, as minister to the Court of St. Petersburg, by an almost unanimous vote of the Senate; I embrace the earliest opportunity of congratulating you upon this fresh instance of the high consideration in which our country holds you.—
My situation here induces me to state to you, that I have been greatly disappointed in my endevours to procure some employment for myself in the mercantile line, nor being able to succeed, I take the liberty of requesting, that if there is any situation connected with this mission, in which I can be of service to you Sir, I beg you will consider me as perfectly at your service—
I hope to be favoured with your commands by the earliest opportunity
I am Sir, your obednt. Servt / and nephew
W. Steuben Smith


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Steuben Smith, 5 July 1809
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, William Steuben

My Dear Sir.
Boston 5. July 1809.

I received your favour of the 1st: instt: and thank you for your obliging congratulations—I am unable to give you at present a positive answer, in relation to your proposal to go with me, for the offer of which I give you my thanks—I know not whether the Secretary is appointed or indicated by the Government; or whether the choice will be left to my discretion. I have written to make the enquiry, and if upon receiving the answer I should find it practicable, you may depend on my disposition to accommodate your wishes, as far as may be in my power.
In the mean time I am with great attachment and esteem, My Dear Sir, your sincere friend and uncle.


Title: From John Quincy Adams to William Steuben Smith, 10 July 1809
From: Adams, John Quincy
To: Smith, William Steuben

My Dear Sir,
Boston 10. July 1809.

From information I have obtained since I wrote you last, I think it will be expedient for you to come here as soon as you can. Without being yet able to speak with certainty as to the object of your wish, I have sufficient ground to think that it will be advisable for you to be here, by the 20th: of this month at the latest—and as much sooner as you conveniently can.
your affectionate friend and Uncle.


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 18 July 1809
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw

my dear sister
Quincy July 18th 1809

It looks like a want of those gratefull feelings which I am sure are inmates of my Heart, that three weeks have elapsed since I left my dear sister, and her Hospitable Mansion, and I have not written her a line to tell her that I was highly gratified with my ride and visit; that my Health and that of Louisas was much benifited by it, and that I have wanted to hear directly from my dear Neice, whom I left rather indisposed. tho I have not had any direct communication, I have heard twice from her and you, since I left you, through mrs Foster, and sister Cranch—I have been so constantly occupied since my return both head hands, and I may say Heart full, that I have only written one Letter, and that to mrs Smith—in the first place I have had a succession of company, which added to the numerous family I have during Hay time. and the addition of aiding my sons family in prepareing for their voyage all these circumstances will account to you for my silence this embassy to Russia sits heavey at my Heart. altho I know it to be a very important one at this eventfull period, to our country. yet the season is so far advanced, and the voyage so long together with so many other painfull circumstances which occur to me, that I find it very difficult to reconcile my mind in any measure to it. at the advanced years both of his Father and myself, we can have very little expectation of meeting again upon this mortal theater—both his father and I, have looked to him as the prop and support of our advanced and declining years. his judgment his prudence his integrity, his filial tenderness and affection, his social converse and information, have renderd his society peculiarly dear to us. and as the world receeded from us, with its pleasures and amusements, these qualities became daily more and more, our solace and delight. like sterling coin, the alloy alass is in our being deprived of them. indeed my dear sister, a Man of his worth ought not to be permitted to leave the Country—a country which wants such supports, I say this to you, the world would call it vain glory but how much has one Man frequently in the History of Nations been able to accomplish? “envy will merit, as its shade pursue”
such is humane Nature, in all ages and countries. It has been the vile intolerant spirit of party, which has induced him to accept this mission—and the hope of yet being serviceable to his Country, altho traduced and vilified by the same intollerent faction
you must not suppose by what I have written “respecting” my son J Q A, that I depreciate the good and amiable qualities of my other son, who has ever been towards me a Dutifull and affectionate Child. but being so much younger, and not having been placed in such conspicious stations, cannot be supposed to have the knowledge and experience of his Brother—he will now have a Double task to perform, to fullfill the Duties which belong to himself and supply those of his Brother—mr Adamss takes with him as private secretary William S Smith his Nephew—this I know will be a great gratification to his sister, as it is to me—he proposes to leave George & John under my care to be placed at their uncle Cranch—I think I could not consent to part with them all—of the few Children I have had, how they have been divided, brought together again & then scatterd—God knows what is best. his will be done
my dear sister your bountifull hand has supplied the President with many a supper for which he tenders you his thanks. you could not have sent him a more acceptable present. he is so much delighted with it, that he asks the favour of you to see if you could procure one of mr. Little, an old one he wants; if the stage could take it to Haverhill to mr Harrods we could get it on to Boston—and he wishes to speak for one Hundred & 50 wt of the same kind of cheese for the present year when it is sufficiently dry—we have a very cold storm & voilent wind—unusual at this season—mrs T B A still keeps up cousin B Smith is upon a visit to sister Cranch—Eliza Smith is going to be married to mr Cruffts—Aunt Edwards with mr Smiths family made me a visit last week and dinned with me Aunt is 95 years old. She depends much upon her semi Annual visits She is indeed a very extradanary woman—
Adieu my dear sister / with Respects to mr Peabody and Love to Abbe. I am your truly / affectionate sister
Abigail Adams


Title: From Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Smith Adams, 26 July 1809
From: Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw
To: Adams, Abigail Smith

My Dear Sister,
Atkinson July 26th 1809

I am rejoiced to hear that you, & my niece got home safe. Such little excursions are really advantageous to our Health—We require some relief from the same round of cares, & objects. Though I have often found myself fatigued at the time, yet the Friendship & cordiality of my Friends, has proved the balm of Life, & very beneficial to my health & spirits—
To your kind enquiries after my Abbys health I am sorry to say, that the pain, & soreness is yet troublesome in her Stomach—though not half so bad as it was—The week you left here, she was very sick, & appeared quite feverish—The Dr. was decided, that she must not think of going to Coos this Season—It was a sad dissapointment both to us, & Mr, & Mrs Webster—but what cannot be avoided, must be borne with Patience I am thankful she has so good a share, the “Yoke of Sickness,” which has oppressed her, in her Youth, will I hope teach her many Virtues, & induce her to turn her thoughts, & place her Dependance upon unchanging Objects—
I regret Mr Adams Embasy, because his Parents must be deprived for a time, of the endearing society of a most worthy Son; but upon a political account, I suppose, I ought to rejoice—
I lament the present loss, to the University at Cambridge—The Scholars hung upon his Lips, & the Honey which droped from the Orator, Philosopher, & Friend, was delicious to their Souls—
Mrs Little has parted with all her old cheese—I am glad to hear the morsel was agreeable to the President, I was almost ashamed to offer it to you—
I have been looking upon my shelf, & find the saucy Mice have tasted of all I had remaining—As the good President has been so zealous a Defender of native Rights, & Priviledges, the little Puny Race will claim theirs, & presume he will not issue an Interdiction—But hopes, he will be so just as to excuse their freedom in being the first Taster—
I am going to Haverhill to Day & will carry one, to go on as you proposed—If it should prove agreeable as the other, it will do me more good, than eating twenty myself—
In great haste, with much love to all, I am ever yours with sisterly / affection
E— Peabody
Abby presents her Duty, & love—Elizabeth is well, & happy as a Queen—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 27 July 1809
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy

Received Quincy July 27th 1809 of John Q Adams Esqr the sum of fifty-three Dollars and twelve Cents, in full for interest on $1700 from the 18th: January to the 7th August 1809.
$53.12
Abigail Adams


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, 5 August 1809
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: Adams, John Quincy,Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson

my dear Children
Quincy August 5th 1809

I would not come to Town to day because I knew I should only add to yours, and my own agony, my Heart is with you, my prayers and blessing attend you, the dear Children you have left, will be dearer to me for the absence of their parents, and my care whilst, Providence continues to me my faculties, and my Life. If your Father and I Should be removed, they cannot fail of finding Friends and protectors in Your Brother and Sister, who will feel for them the solisitude of parents—God bless preserve and prosper you.
most tenderly and affectionatly / your Mother
Abigail Adams
 To my dear William who shares my Love give my blessing also—I forgot to ask by what means I could convey Letters to you. mr grey will no doubt know from this quarter—


Title: From Abigail Smith Adams to Caroline Amelia Smith De Windt, 12 August 1809
From: Adams, Abigail Smith
To: De Windt, Caroline Amelia Smith

my Dear Caroline
Quincy july August 12 1809

last Saturday my Dear Children and grandsons viz William your Brother, and little Charles Adams sailed in the Ship Horace Capt Beckford for Saint petersburgh this Seperation from a dear son at the advanced Age both of your Grandfather and me, was like taking our last leave of him, and was felt by us both, with the keenest anguish. our hearts were, “garnerd up in him” perhaps too closely and we were  calld to this trial to break assunder one of the strongest ligaments which held us down to this Earth; Yet it has left us a hope,  The figure of which hope you know is always in paintin represented with an anchor, upon to that the sorrowing heart still clings to and is buoyed up by it—that we may yet meet again. to the sovereign disposer of all events I submit. I could sustain the seperation with more fortitude, if one equally dear to me was not also seperated far from me, tho not in a foreign land Yet so distant that I cannot see her, but with great difficulty, that I can hear frequently from her is a comfort and consolation to me, To you my dear Caroline I have been long indebted for a Letter. I knew you were enjoying yourself in the midst of your young Friends, and I have been so much occupied in assisting your uncles family to prepare for their voyage, and in getting William ready for his, that I have not had leisure to write, except to your Mother whose claim I consider as the first My own fanily too has claimd a share of my care and anxiety, we have a little new comer. a young Thomas. quite a group Abigail Elizabeth & Thomas, the Eldest only three years old. Susan and Abbe of a larger size, and George and John whom your uncle has left with us: they however live at your uncle Cranchs, tho they are under our care—Your Aunt T B A. is very comfortable and Sends her Love to you—She always speaks of you with the tenderest regard—Your Aunt C Adams is with us. She enjoys better Health than when she first came here—we want to see you my dear Caroline but I know your Mother has made a great Sacrifice in spairing you so long. return to her again my dear Girl enliven her by your vivacity comfort her by your affection and solace   your endearing society—every attention of a most dutifull child is due to her for the care and attention with which she has nurtured you, watchd over your infant years and sacrifisd her own delight, to increase your pleasures
The absence of your Brother William altho attended with pleasureable circumstances respecting his situation and appointment, is not without its anxieties—dangers of the Seas. and even danger of capture—are some of the alloys which come in to balance in a Mothers mind the honours which others covet. I hope your Brother John is well and doing well. I owe him a Letter give my Love to him, his Grandfather has been so much engaged lately that he has not been able to keep up his correspondence with him, but if he has not written to him, he has written for him—John is so federal I suppose that he does not read a republican Newspaper—it is in those only that he can read what his grandfather has written—the federal papers having relinquishd all, or most of those principles which upon which the independence of our country was founded, & forgetting that Charity which hopeth all things, which suffereth long and is kind—they have become as Sensorious as uncandid and as bitter as ever their opponents were—they charge upon your Grandfather a change of principles. but the change is in themselves—and time will prove it—You my dear girl hate politicks—well let John consider this part of the Letter as addrest to him. If you are at Newark present my respects to your Grandmother and Love to Aunt Nancy—and for yourself / the Sincere Love of your affectionate / Grandmother

A. Adams