Adams Family Correspondence, volume 3

242 Oliver Wendell to Abigail Adams, 29 November 1779 Wendell, Oliver AA Oliver Wendell to Abigail Adams, 29 November 1779 Wendell, Oliver Adams, Abigail

Oliver Wendell to Abigail Adams

Dear Madm. Boston Novr. 29th. 1779

Mr. Adams gave me real Pleasure when he told me it was in my Power to render any Service to himself or his Family, therefore any Apology from you was needless.

The fluctuating or rather the Ebbing State of our paper Medium is such that to exchange More Silver than you may want for a fortnights Use, may be prejudicial—and oftentimes a better bargain may be made with the Silver than any other way. At present Thirty paper are given for one Mill'd Dollr. You'l therefore freely send Directions what Money you'd exchange and the best Advance I can obtain shall be sent you.

I am with Esteem Your very Hume. Servt., O. Wendell

Mrs. Wendell presents her Regards.

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To Mrs. Abigal Adams Braintree.” Dft (Hugh Upham Clark, Arlington, Va., owner of the Austin H. Clark Collection, prints of which have been deposited in MBCo); text varies insignificantly in phrasing from that of RC.

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1779 AA JA Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1779 Adams, Abigail Adams, John

Abigail Adams to John Adams

My Dearest Friend December 10. 1779

I will not omit any opportunity of writing tho ever so great an uncertainty whether it will ever reach your Hand. My Unkle Smith has a vessel bound to Calis,1 he advises me to write, and I most willingly comply tho my Faith in the conveyance is but poor—indeed I have lost my Faith with my Spirits.

My Friends assure me from their observations that you must have had a good passage. God grant it I say, but my fears and anxieties are many—very many. I had a Faith and reliance before that supported me, but now my Heart so misgives me that I cannot find that confidence which I wish for. Your Letter from Cape Ann arrived and cheered my drooping Spirits. Could I hear of your safe arrival, I would try to compose my agitated mind which has horrours both day and night. My dear sons, Little do they know how many veins of their Mothers Heart bled when she parted from them. My delicate Charles, how has he endured the fatigues of his voyage? John is a hardy Sailor, seasoned before, I do not feel so much for him. Your fellow Travellers too I do not forget to think of them. I will not wish myself with you because you say a Lady cannot help being an odious creature at sea, 243and I will not wish myself in any situation that should make me so to you.

Nothing new in the political way but the raising the Seige of Savannah, and being unfortunate.

You will have perticulars no doubt.

Our Friends are all well.

Enclosed are some papers and journals. Mr. Lawrance Laurens is appointed to Holland—has not yet given his answer.

Adieu—ever ever yours, Portia

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To The Honble. John Adams Esqr. Paris”; endorsed: “Portia Decr. 10. 1779 ans. 16. March.” For earlier acknowledgments, and for the (missing) enclosures, see note 1.

Thus in MS, probably for “Cadiz.” In his first letter to AA after arriving in Paris, JA reported finding the present letter, “which came by your Unkles ship to Cadiz,” awaiting him in Paris (12 Feb. 1780, below). A few days later he wrote her to say that the postage on the accompanying packet of Journals, &c., had cost him 44 livres, and advised against sending large packets (16 Feb. 1780, below). A month later he touched again on the main topic of her letter—her “tender Anxiety” for him (16 March 1780, below).