Adams Family Correspondence, volume 11
a.Feb. 9. 1797
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. Captn. stevens is among them. one Women rushed into the Crowd & picked out her Husband, whom she had not Seen for 14 years.1 I am and ever shall / be yours and no others
Mr Sullivan and young Johnson are to breakfast with me.
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs A.”
Isaac Stephens was captain of the Maria of Boston, the first American vessel taken by Algiers. His ship and crew of five were captured off Cape St. Vincent, Portugal, on 25 July 1785. In 1793 Algerian corsairs captured twelve other American vessels and seized over 100 Americans. The captives, both before and after the 1793 seizures, petitioned Congress for their release, but a successful attempt by the United States was not effected until 1795, when Joseph Donaldson Jr. was appointed as a deputy to Algiers. Donaldson arrived in Algiers on 3 Sept. and two days later signed a treaty with the Algerian dey Hassan Bashaw, who agreed to release the Americans in exchange for $180,000. The house of Bacry, a Jewish brokerage firm in Algiers, loaned the United States the funds necessary to redeem the
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American captives. On 12 July 1796 the men left Algiers, arriving on 20 July in Marseilles, where they were quarantined for eighty days due to a shipboard outbreak of the plague. On 12 Nov. they sailed for America, arriving on 7 Feb. 1797 at Marcus Hook, Penn., and in Philadelphia the following day (Gary E. Wilson, “American Hostages in Moslem Nations, 1784–1796: The Public Response,” Journal of the Early Republic, 2:126–130, 138–140 [Summer 1982]; Boston Gazette, 20 Feb.).
On the same day AA wrote to JA enclosing JQA’s letter to her of 14 Nov. 1796, above, and summarizing a letter she received from TBA, which has not been found; she also noted the receipt of several letters from JA and commented on JA’s salary as president. JA wrote to AA on 11 Feb. telling her to bring all the female servants she desired to Philadelphia but cautioning her that as yet he had no furnishings for the presidential residence (both Adams Papers).
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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.1 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 the Arduous station which the voice of my Country has designated to me. so far from feeling any sensations of Pride or Ostentation from the event, my mind is solemnized and impressed with the new Duties, and the Weight of cares devolved upon My best Friend. in concequence of it, and upon me, as a sharer in some of the cares which will encompass him, I can say with the Psalmist when addressing the Supreeme Being
Dr Preistly in his dedication of his volm of Sermons to the Vice President, very justly observes that Christian principles will best enable Men to Devote their Time their Talents, their Lives, and what is often a greater sacrifice, their Characters to the publick Good. what Principles can enable a Man to consult the real good of his fellow citizens, without being diverted from his generous purpose by a regard to their opinion concerning him, like those of the Christian who can be satisfied with the approbation of his own mind, and who tho not insensible to due praise, can despise Calumny, and steadily Overlooking every thing which is intermediate, patiently wait for the Day of Retribution.
Our Government is in as Critical a state, as it respects our Foreign connections, as it has ever known Since its commencment, particularly as it respects France, who have unprovokedly insulted our Government by their Minister, Plunderd our Commerce by their cruizers, and openly broken their Treaties. in short with their Religion, all moral obligation appears to have shared the same dissolution, so that Galick Faith will become a by word, and a reproach, which verifies the observations just resited, that there are no principles like the Christian to bind either the Faith or practise of Nations or individuals—
May the prayers of all good people, be offerd up with equal Sincerity, for the Success and prosperity of the Government: under the new Head, as for his predecessor for the effectual fervent prayer of the Righteous, availeth much.2
I hope the arduous Task difficult as it is, will be discharg’d with wisdom, firmness, integrity, prudence, and impartiality, as may be instrumental in preserving to us, Peace, and respectability both at Home and abroad
The vice Presidency having been allotted to mr Jefferson: will serve as a bond of union between the States.3 I have long known mr Jefferson, and have ever entertaind a Friendship for him; he is a Man of understanding, and of probity. tho he has been biased towards one Nation, and prejudiced against an other, I do not believe he would knowingly Sacrifice the interests of his Country to any foreign Nation. between him and mr Adams there has ever subsisted harmony. tho they have not accorded always in Sentiment, they have discented without warmth, or ill will, like Gentlemen, and mr Jefferson, I have not a Doubt will Support the President, nor do I fear any unpleasent Conduct from him at the Head of the Senate—4
I hope My Dear sister that you will Soon get the better of your infirmities and enjoy a more confirmd state of Health in future
Cousin William was here last sunday as he wrote you. I do not expect him again untill he goes to Cambridge.5 I will render him the assistance you request. he appears to have every disposition to Do right, but we cannot expect the judgement of Age, upon the Shoulders of youth. experience is the best School. I know you will be gratified to hear from Your Nephews abroad; I received Letters from them this week. the vessel which brought them had 99 Days passage. they were dated 20 Nov’br they were both well.6
Sister Cranch said the other Day that she designd to write to you. She is well, but cousin Mary is very sick; I fear her complaints are 556 consumptive—a threatning cough—7 I am happy to learn that cousin B Smith is content with her Situation. how does that Laughter Loving Girl B Q S do.? I have mist her spirits this winter. Cherish the little pratler Abbe. She will with the rest of them, prove a comfort to you I trust. my Respects to mr Peabody whom I esteem for his many amiable qualities, and particularly for that value, and right estimation, he appears to have of the treasure he possesses. Louissa desires me to present her Duty to you, and Love to her Sister, and cousins Louissa is not deficient in writing to her Sister. ask cousin Betsy, if She can say as much?
With Sincere regard and Sisterly affection / I Subscribe your
RC (DLC:Shaw Family Papers). Dft (Adams Papers); filmed at [Jan. 1797].
Proverbs, 31:26.
James, 5:16.
In the Dft, AA adds here: “and tho differing Sentiments may exist between the two Gentlemen, if both aim at the Same end the good of their country, their difference will not create any animosity.”
In the Dft, AA adds as a new paragraph here: “I do not propose going untill the fall of the Year to Philadelphia. I hope Publick buisness will not require the President to reside there through the Hot Months.”
In the Dft, AA adds here: “I have told him that I will convey him from hence. I will see that he has a good pr small Cloaths made. I will get the cloth for him and have them Done here he wants Shoes, and said he expected You to send him a pr. I chargd him to get those he had on mended, as the Soles were quite worn—”
JQA to AA, 14 Nov. 1796, above; TBA’s letter to AA of 20 Nov. has not been found. The vessel that carried the letters was probably the schooner President, Capt. Holbrook, which arrived in Boston on 5 Feb. 1797 (Boston Price-Current, 9 Feb.).
Mary Smith died in Quincy on 22 April after suffering from tuberculosis. AA noted the young woman’s deteriorating condition in her letters that spring, writing to JA on 18 March that Mary was “far gone in a consumption” and on 6 April that her illness “dejects all our Spirits.” On 21 April AA informed William Smith that Mary “has not been able to be raised from her Bed for three Days” (Boston Columbian Centinel, 26 April; Adams Papers; MHi:Smith-Carter Family Papers).