Adams Family Correspondence, volume 1

Joseph Hawley to Abigail Adams, 23 September 1775 Hawley, Joseph AA Joseph Hawley to Abigail Adams, 23 September 1775 Hawley, Joseph Adams, Abigail

Joseph Hawley to Abigail Adams

Mrs. Adams Watertown 23d. Septr. 1775

The Publick have great Need of two Vols. of Mr. Adams English Statutes at large. The edition which Mr. Adams owns is (if I don't mistake) Ruffhead's. The one Vol. which is wanted is that which contains the Statutes of 27th. of Edward the third and the other which is Needed contains the Statutes of the 23d. of Henry the 8th.1

I would not ask such a favour Madam, if the publick was not much interested. I shall desire Col. Thayer to be particularly careful in 284bringing them—after their Arrival, I will undertake that they be Most carefully used and will be responsible for a speedy return of them. I don't know where else they can be Obtained.

I am Madm. Your Most respectful and Obedient Sert., Joseph Hawley

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To Mrs. Adams at Braintree.”

JA's set of the British Statutes at Large was that compiled by Owen Ruffhead, 8 vols. in 9, London, 1763–1765; it survives among his books in the Boston Public Library. The volumes Hawley wanted were the first two. A comparison of the statutes enacted during the regnal years mentioned by Hawley with the entries in the Massachusetts House Journal at this period does not suggest the precise use to which Hawley intended to put the Statutes.

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 September 1775 AA JA Abigail Adams to John Adams, 25 September 1775 Adams, Abigail Adams, John

Abigail Adams to John Adams

Dearest Friend Braintree Sepbr. 25 1775

I set down with a heavy Heart to write to you. I have had no other since you left me. Woe follows Woe and one affliction treads upon the heal of an other. My distress for my own family having in some measure abated;1 tis excited anew upon the distress of my dear Mother. Her kindness brought her to see me every day when I was ill and our little Tommy. She has taken the disorder and lies so bad that we have little hopes of her Recovery. She is possess'd with the Idea that she shall not recover, and I fear it will prove but too true.

In this Town the distemper seems to have abated. We have none now so bad as Patty. She has lain 21 days, each day we had reason to think would be her last, but a good Constitution, and youth for ought I know will finally conquer the distemper. She is not able to get out of Bed, nor can she help herself any more than a new born infant. Yet their are symptoms which now appear in her favour.

The desolation of War is not so distressing as the Havock made by the pestilence. Some poor parents are mourning the loss of 3, 4 and 5 children, and some families are wholy striped of every Member.

Wherefore is it that we are thus contended with? How much reason have I for thankfulness that all my family are spaired whilst so many others are striped of their parents, their children, their husbands.

O kind Heaven spair my parents, spair my Dearest Friend and grant him Health. Continue the lives and health of our dear children. Sister Elihu Adams lost her youngest child last night with this disorder.2 I can add no more than Supplications for your welfare, and an ardent desire to hear from you by every opportunity. It will alleviate 285every trouble thro which it may be my Lot to pass. I am most affectionately your distress'd

Portia

RC (Adams Papers); addressed in John Thaxter's hand: “To The Honble: John Adams Esq at Philadelphia To the Care of Col: Warren”; docketed in an unidentified hand.

MS: “abateded.”

An infant daughter whose name is not known.