301Abigail Adams Smith to John Adams, 29 April 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 21st of March, has lain by me some time. * * * * The prospect of a war alarms me much; many persons express their apprehensions respecting the safety of this town in particular— supposing that in case of a war, it would be of great consequence for the British to have possession of it, and presuming they will attempt to invade it; but I hope they will find other objects...
302William Stephens Smith to John Adams, 9 January 1795 (Adams Papers)
M rs: Smith has shewn me the Letter you wrote on the 2 d. ins t. with the Copies of those you presented to The Count D e Vergennes The extract from Brissots Journal I noticed, and really think there is a greater combination to deprive you of the tribute due to your services, than I ever noticed pointed against any Individual— I think it a duty you owe yourself and Country, to resist it, & this...
303Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 19 July 1794 (Adams Papers)
M r Adams (your son) presented me with your obliging favor of June the 20 th. and I pray you to accept my thanks for your kind remembrance of me; and the assurance of the pleasure I felt at hearing that you had quite recovered your health again.— That parental feelings should be put to the test at a seperation (perhaps for years) from a dutyful, and meritorious son, is not to be wondered at;...
304Thomas Welsh to John Adams, 15 December 1794 (Adams Papers)
Your Favor of Nov r 19 th I rec d I have since mine of Nov r 7 th. found that M r Dexter is not chosen, altho’ M r Varnum who was put up by the antis makes but a small shew against him M r Gerry having by far the greatest Number of Votes of any other Candidate but he declines being considered as a Candidate; it is true I believe that M r Dearborn is not elected. Last Evening a Ship Cap
305Editorial Note (Adams Papers)
Throughout the first half of 1794, John Adams made a concerted effort to instruct his son Charles, and to a lesser extent Thomas Boylston and John Quincy, on the subjects of equality, especially “natural equality,” and the laws of nature and of nations. John believed that his own understanding of natural equality had been best expressed in the first article of the Declaration of Rights...