1Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Two vessels are notified, one for England, the other for Hamburgh. I will write by both, but the pleasure and freedom of communication, is much damp’d by the restraints of Station, and the apprehension of Capture. It is now several Months since I took my pen to address you. I believe my last date was in December. I have since written largly to Thomas, but fear my Letter is still waiting a...
2John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Congress have passed the Law allowing 14,000 d to purchase furniture. The State Legislature have done nothing about their new House: so that I shall take the House the President is in, at a 1000 £ or 2700 dollars rent, nothing better can be done. M r Jefferson arrived Yesterday and came to visit me in the Evening. Tomorrow will be a worse day than the 8th. of Feb. was. We are to take the...
3From John Adams to Thomas Mifflin, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Having been out this Forenoon upon public Business it was not untill my Return after three O Clock, that I received the Letter you did me the Honour to write me on this day. The Respect to the United States intended by the Legislature of Pensivania, in building a House for the President will no doubt be acknowledged by the Union, as it ought to be For your kind offer of it to me in Consequence...
4To John Adams from Oliver Ellsworth, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Ellsworth wishes to be informed by the Vice President whether when he has been quallified as such, any other oath has been administered to him than the general one vizt. “J. A—I do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States—”? And if any other what has it been, and by what law prescribed? MHi : Adams Papers.
5To John Adams from Thomas Mifflin, 3 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
In the year 1791, the Legislature of Pennsylvania directed a House to be built, for the accommodation of the President of the United States, and empowered the Governor to lease the premises. As the building will be completed in the course of a few weeks, permit me to tender it for your accommodation; and to inform you, that, although I regret the necessity of making any stipulation, on the...
6Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
This is the first Day of March, and I have no Letters from you of a later date than the 11 th of Feb’ ry. and then only a few lines. Several things which I have written to upon, and which I wish for directions before I proceeded to execute, are I suppose lost and forgotten by upon, in the Multitude of Your Thoughts. I must proceed with the advise of D r Tufts, for whom I have this day sent, in...
7From John Adams to United States Senate, February 1797 (Adams Papers)
If, in the general Apprehension of an intention to retire in that most eminent Citizen, to whom all Eyes had been directed and all hearts attended, as the Center of our Union for So long a period; the public opinion had exhibited any clear Indications, of another, in whom our fellow Citizens could have generally united; as Soon as I read that excellent Address which announced the Necessity of...
8To John Adams from Timothy Bloodworth, February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Timothy Bloodworth Presents his Compliments to the Vice President of the United States, & begs leave to acquaint him, that if it should be Necessary to send express to the Vice President Elect, his son Samuel Bloodworth will Chearfully perform the service, provided the respectibility of the personage, shall be considered competant to the service, if otherways, permit the freedom of the offer...
9Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Gray Otis, [post 8 February] 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received last Evening Your kind Letter of Feb ry 8 th . I thank you for your congratulation, and kind wishes To be the Successor of Mrs Washington and to make good her place will be an arduous task. I can only Say that my Sincerest Wishes will be joined With my best endeavours to give offence to no one & satifaction to all. I have amidst many gloomy reflections, receivd pleasure from the...
10Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 28 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Yes, my friend you have answered me as I deserve, and made me feel the striking difference between us, from the moment I had dispatched that letter, I regretted my folly, and felt sincerely ashamed of my ridiculous conduct— Dictated by anger, without time for reflection, I scarcely know what I wrote— you appeared to think I had not acted with delicacy, and my pride was wounded at the manner in...
11To John Adams from Thomas Welsh, 28 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Your Favor of 18th Instant was received last Night. I have sent a part of the Chronicle of yesterday that you may see for yourself the wonderfull Conversion which has been brought about within a few weeks this appears to be very general but how sincere or how lasting or what object is in View is a Subject of much Speculation. but they are all apparently perfectly satisfied with the Result of...
12Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 27 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
It Can be of little Consequence to you my dear Madam wither Your late adventure with me amounts to 8000 dollars or only 8 /— Yet it is my duty to let you know how it stands and to take your commands either to vest You again as an adventurer in the next Class—or remit to your order the sum of 8/4— as I think it always best to rise in our subject instead of sinking from great to small things—my...
13To John Adams from Thomas Law, 27 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
In my letter of this morning I Introduced the most difficult article of the proposed National code, that I might at once meet the most powerfull objections—And as you approve of the plan at the first glance I will proceed—I am convinced that the irresistible force of truth must ultimately cause an adoption of every general principle—first, by the subscription of those States who will benefit...
14To John Adams from Thomas Law, 26 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
After one short week your mind will be absorbed in the routine of current business, & the pressure of daily occurrences may not allow you leisure for the consideration of abstract Propositions— Our worthy President has transmitted in his legacy of advice, an urgent admonition to avoid Treaties from an experience of the embarasments that have already arisen from them; an idea on this subject...
15To John Adams from Timothy Pickering, 25 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I inclose the form of the summons by Mr. Jefferson on the former occasion, to the Senators to attend on the 4th of March, and that which would seem to me proper on the present occasion; and by the favour of you to make any alterations that shall appear best; also to fill the blank for the hour of assembling at the Senate Chamber. With great respect / your obt. servt MHi : Adams Papers.
16John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Presbyterian Congregation have voted me the front Pew in their Church for my Family. It is an elegant new Building and the Pew is large I have bought me a Pair of Young Horses for a Carriage and a saddle horse. The Birthday was affecting and the Night Splendid but tedious to those who were too old to dance. I have now Settled all My Accounts with the senate as you will see by the inclosed...
17From John Adams to United States Senate, 23 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
An Address so respectful and affectionate as this from Gentlemen of such Experience and established Character in public Affairs, high Stations in the Government of their Country, and great Consideration in their Several States, as the Senators of The United States, will do me great honour and afford me a firm Support, wherever it Shall be known, both at home and abroad. Their generous...
18To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 23 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
General Pinckney and his family have arrived at Amsterdam; but as I have not seen him I presume he did not pass through this place. On the other hand Mr: Monroe has arrived in Paris, upon his return from his tour through this Country.—What was the cause of Mr. Pinckney’s being ordered to leave France is yet unknown.—But the conduct of the french Government and its dependents, at the same time...
19To John Adams from Stephen Sayre, 23 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
presuming, that a general peace is not very distant: a question arises, to the mind of every citizen, who knows the interest of his country. How will the United States of America be affected by it? Our Envoy now at Paris, may for ought I know, have talents, address, and every necessary qualification, for high & important negotiations—he may, hereafter be more than a usefull Servant—but, he...
20To John Adams from United States Senate, 22 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Senate of the United States would be unjust to their own feelings, and deficient in the performance of a duty their relation to the government of their Country imposes should they fail to express their regard for your person, and their respect for your character, in answer to the address you presented to them, on your leaving a station which you have so long and so honorably filled as...
21To John Adams from United States Senate, 22 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Senate of the United States would be unjust to their own feelings, and deficient in the performance of a duty their relation to the government of their Country, imposes , should they fail to express their Respect for attachment to your person, and their respect for your character, in answer to the excellent address you presented to them, on your leaving a station which you have so long and...
22Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 21 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I fear to look back to the Date of my last Letter to You, least it should accuse me of omission. There have been but very few opportunities this Severe Winter, of writing to You Rude Boreas laid an embargo, and our harbours have been frozen for six weeks, so that not a vessel could go out, or come in. for about a Week we have had a Thaw. I have received within a fortnight your Letters of...
23John Adams to Abigail Adams Smith, 21 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I believe I have not acknowledged your favour of the 20th January, which I received in its season. I hope your apprehensions that “the party who have embarrassed the President, and exerted themselves to divide the election, will endeavour to render my situation as uncomfortable as possible,” will be found to be without sufficient foundation; I have seen, on the contrary, a disposition to...
24From John Adams to Josiah, III Quincy, 21 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I received in its time your favor of the 2d and thank you for your clear and satisfactory answer to my Questions. Pray tell me, entre nous, whether you were one of the Citizens who fraternized with Citizen Adet at Concert Halls, Whether Citizen Lincoln & Citizen Higginson are not a little in the Compunctions for the illegitimate Embraces they gave and received on that day, They seemd to me to...
25John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
just rc d yr s of 8. 9. 13 th. return sister Peabodys lovely Letter. John’s is gone to the P.— I could not withhold it. All thoughts of building a Barn or Coach house I must lay aside for this Year— I cant bear the thought of it.— My head and hands are so full—and Expences so great. in March I will send Provision for Taxes, Haydens Note &c French may break up the 4 Acres if he will. Brisler...
26John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 20 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I hope we shall never get into a habit of writing to one another angry and kind Letters alternately, for it would be far from promoting the happiness of either. Your obliging favour of the 7 th: inst t: came to me yesterday. It gave me great pleasure which I will not mingle, with other sentiments by dwelling upon a topic necessarily disagreeable.— I wish it were in my power to write you always...
27Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 20 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
your kind and affectionate letter of the 9 th instant has been duly received.— For the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express for me, and for the testimony it contains of the aprobation of my conduct in the station I am about to retire from, I pray you to accept my grateful acknowledgments— It is very flattering for me, my dear Madam, to be asked for rules, by which I have...
28From John Adams to John Lathrop, 20 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter of the 30 Jan and thank you, for your obliging Complaisance in nominating Dr. Bancroft to be a Member of our Academy and for your Compliments on the issue of the late Election. When you assure me, that your Brethren of the Clergy, of the Colledge and of the Accademy are “almost without an Exception my real Friends” you assure me of an approbation very much to...
29To John Adams from James McHenry, 20 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honour to transmit you herewith, a list of Invalid-Pension-Applicants—who have been re-examined by Physicians, agreably to a Resolve of Congress of the 18th of April 1796. I am with great respect / Sir / your obedient servant. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
30To John Adams from George Washington, 20 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for giving me the perusal of the enclosed.—The sentiments do honor to the head & heart of the writer;—and if my wishes would be of any avail, they shd. go to you in a strong hope that you will not withhold merited promotion from Mr. Jno. Adams because he is your son.—For with out intending to compliment the father or the mother, or to censure any others: I give it as my decided...
31Abigail Adams to John Adams, 19 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
It was not till last Evening that I received Your Letters of Febry 2 d 4 & 7 th . the post did not get in which was Due on twesday till Saturday. I do not know how to pass a week without hearing from You. I received newspapers to the Tenth. in those I have an account of the Declaration. it was a Solemn Scene to You, and an affecting one. You will find by my Letter of the 8 th that I was with...
32From John Adams to Thomas Welsh, 18 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recd your favour of 30. Ult.—Thank you for your good Wishes. I know not the reason why the Chroniclers should wish that Mr Jefferson would not accept the office of V.P. The Reason is obvious why the “highest Partisans” on the other Side shd. wish so.—But neither the Jacobins nor Antijacobins, knew the Temper and Character of Mr Jefferson So well as I do. I have known these Seven Years...
33Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 17 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your letters of Jan ry. 28. and 31. which have afforded me more real satisfaction, than I have latterly been accustomed to experience— I think, I have at length discovered the meaning, of those very disagreeable expressions suspicion , and distrust , and can assure my best friend, if he alludes to what I said, respecting the circumstance that happened in our family, from the...
34To John Adams from John Quincy Adams, 16 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Since I wrote you last I have been in constant expectation of seeing General Pinckney here, and in hopes that from conversation with him, I might have some new circumstances of interesting information to communicate to you. My letters from Paris mention that he was to leave that place on the 2d: of this month.—Some accident must have delayed him as he has not yet reached this place. As soon as...
35To John Adams from George Washington, 16 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Compliments to the Vice-President Enclosed is the curious and Insulting Letter mentioned yesterday Evening MHi : Adams Papers.
36Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
It is now the Middle of Feb’ ry it will be the 20 by the Time this reaches you. the whole Months has been a Thaw So that to present appearences we shall have an early Spring. Billings has been Several Day at work upon the Wall. he tells me he shall want help to cart & Digg. Veseys time is just expiring, and as he is a bird of passage, he does not incline to tarry longer, So that I have to Seek...
37From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 13 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I recd by this days Post your favr of the 3d No. 2. I had before received Number 1.—I shall confine myself in this to No. 2. You are Apprehensive “that France will view the discussion of Gratitude in its full Extent, as trespassing the Line of defence” But Adet had laid his demands of Gratitude so high and all his Partisans were in the habit of deafening our People with such rude and...
38To John Adams from Jonathan James Maund, 13 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I beg your Acceptance of a Barrel of Seed Oats of a Superior Quality which I shall send to Boston by a Captn. Allen now in this River he sails the beginning of next Month and I hope the Oats will arrive in Time for seeding You will do me Honor by presenting my most respectful Compliments to Mrs. Adams and by your remembrance of me in your Letter to my Friend Mr. Thomas Adams when you write him...
39John Quincy Adams to Louisa Catherine Johnson, 12 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I was reflecting this morning, with what peculiar force and propriety, I could make the application of these tender and affectionate lines of Hammond, and how much more truly they were suited to the object of my constant love than to the person for whom they were originally destined, when your Letter of the 31 st: of last month was brought me. … It put an end at once to the delicious...
40From John Adams to John Lathrop, 12 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have received your kind Letter and thank you for your friendly Congratulations I begged a Copy of the inclosed Volume of my Friend Judge Peters for our Accademy: but as he sent me one in boards I will get that bound for myself that I may Send His the Sooner. to our Accademy I ask your Pardon for sending you Such a Scrawl, being in great haste, your humble sert MBAt : American Academy of Arts...
41Abigail Adams to Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody, 10 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
What a Charming Letter have I received from my ever Dear and valued Sister, how repleat with benevolence. Surely she openeth her Mouth with Wisdom, and upon her Tongue is the Law of Kindness. Not an avenue to the Heart, which her pen cannot trace, not a Chord which her skill cannot strike. How soothing how comforting how encourageing are her Words, and such My Dear Sister have I need of, in...
42From John Adams to United States Senate, 10 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
In Consequence of the Declaration made yesterday in the Chamber of the H of Representatives of the Election of a President & V. P. of U.S. the Record of which has just now been read from your Journal by your Secretary I think have judged it proper to give Notice, that on the fourth of March next at twelve O Clock, I propose to attend again in the Chamber of the H. of R. in order to take the...
43Abigail Adams to Martha Washington, [9 February 1797] (Adams Papers)
Your retirement from publick Life excite in my mind many Sensations, Some of them of a nature very different from those which I have ever before experienced. The universal satisfaction Love esteem and Respect which you have ensured from all Ranks of persons, Since you have been in publick Life and more particularly for these 8 years past when your Situation has made you more universally know...
44John Adams to Abigail Adams, 9 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
The Die is cast, and you must prepare yourself for honourable Tryals. I must wait to know whether Congress will do any Thing or not to furnish my House— if they do not I will have no House before next Fall. and then a very moderate one, with very moderate Furniture. The Prisoners from Algiers arrived Yesterday in this City, in good health and looking very well. Capt n. stevens is among them....
45To John Adams from United States Senate, 9 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
on motion ordered Resolved that the Secretary of the Senate, be directed and he is hereby directed, I lay before the president of the United States a copy of the Journal of yesterday the 8. Instant relative to the opening and counting the votes for president and Vice president of the United States, and the declaration of the president of the Senate consequent thereon: and also to present to...
46From John Adams to United States Senate, 9 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the declaration made yesterday in the Chamber of the House of Representatives, of the election of a President and Vice President of the United States, the record of which has just now been read from your Journal, by your Secretary, I have judged it proper to give notice, that on the fourth of March next, at twelve O clock, I propose to attend again in the Chamber of the House...
47To John Adams from Oliver Wolcott, Jr., 9 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith a statement of goods, wares, and merchandise, exported from the United States, during one year prior to the 30th day of September, 1796, which has been prepared in conformity with the resolution of the Senate, passed on the 10th day of February, 1796. Of the sum of 67,064,097 dollars, being the whole value of exports during the years above mentioned, it is...
48Abigail Adams to John Adams, 8 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
And may it prove an auspicious prelude to each ensuing Season. You have this Day to declare Yourself Head of A Nation. And now O Lord my God thou hast made thy servant Ruler over the people. give unto him an understanding Heart, that he may know how to go out, and come in before this great people, that he may descern between good and bad, for who is able to judge this, thy so great People?...
49John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
Though not many days have elapsed since I wrote you last, and I scarcely know what I can write for your amusement, I cannot omit the acknowledgment of having recently received your kind Letter, dated November. 11. which besides the pleasure which your Letters always afford, had the additional merit of relieving me from great anxiety on account of your health. The address of the President...
50Mary Smith Gray Otis to Abigail Adams, 8 February 1797 (Adams Papers)
It gives me peculiar pleasure to hear from the Vice President, that you have enjoyed your health, better, this Winter, than usual; the frost of this season, will I hope entirely eradicate your former complaints, & that you will long enjoy a confirmed state of health, not only for your own sake, but that of your friends.— Give me leave to congratulate you, on the choice made of a President, as...