Adams Papers Digital Edition

Adams Family Correspondence, volume 4

Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams

John Thaxter to Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 May 1781 AA JA Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 May 1781 Adams, Abigail Adams, John
Abigail Adams to John Adams
My dearest Friend May 27 1781

I have written so largely to you by Mr. Storer1 who goes in the same vessel, that I should not have taken up my pen again, but in 138compliance with the request of a Friend whose partner is going abroad, and desires a Letter to you as an introduction. Of Mr. Dexter the Bearer I know nothing but his Name. I have inclosed the Letter which I received from his partner who you know is a valuable Gentleman, and Eminent in his profession.2

As Election is not passed I have nothing New to add. My wishes for your Health and happiness and my anxiety to hear from you are an old Story. Should I tender you my warmest affections, they are of a date, almost with my first knowledge of you, and near coeval with my existance, yet not the less valuable I hope to a Heart that knows not a change, but is unalterably the treasure of its ever affectionate

Portia

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To Honble. John Adams Esqr Amsterdam”; docketed by CFA: “Portia May 27. 1781.” Enclosure missing, but see note 2.

1.

Presumaby her letter of 25 May, above.

 2.

“Mr. Dexter the Bearer” was Aaron Dexter (1750–1829), Harvard 1776, hon. M.D. 1786; professor of chemistry and materia medica at the Harvard Medical School, 1783–1816 ( Harvard Quinquennial Cat. ; Kelly, Amer. Medical Biog. ). The enclosed letter from Dexter's “partner” has not been found, but Richard Cranch in his letter to JA, 28 May, below, not only specifies Dexter's errand abroad but identifies his partner as Dr. Thomas Welsh of Boston, a family connection, on whom see a note at vol. 3:78–79, above, and Adams Genealogy.