Adams Family Correspondence, volume 7
In your Letter to Mamma my Dear Eliza of —— May1 you are strangely puzled to know in what manner to address your Cousin. Your suppositions at that time were rather premature, and the Card on which they were founded was from a family by the Name of Smith who have been vastly civil to us since our residence in this Country. But at this period, a Letter addressd to your friend under the title of M
If your friend has any cause for anxiety, it arrises, from being obliged to Leave her Parents to whom she finds herself every day more attached, and more and more sollicitious to promote their Happiness. The seperation has but enlarged the scene to them, for we meet every day either with them, or with us, and Harmony and affection preside over our Circle; yet I wish Mamma could call in some one of her young American friends as a Constant Companion; but it is so uncertain how long we may all stay in this Country or how soon we may return to our own, that it is not possible to make any arangements for the future—all we can do is to wait patiently till the decissions of others mark out our future destination. In the mean time let us my Dear Eliza eleviate the disagreeables arrising from this seperation, by a Continueance of this friendly epistolary intercourse. Mrs Hay Carried proofs of my not having forgotten my friends, and you my Eliza was amongst the first in my remembrance. I am fearfull as my Letters were all under Cover to Mr Charles Storer that his absence may occassion thier delay for which I shall be very sorry.
My Letters from my Brother inform me that he is Learning to Play upon the flute which has given me much anxiety, do my Dear Eliza dissuade him from the practice. It is certainly very prejudicial to Health, and tho it may amuse him for the Present, I fear the Consequences. I hope Charles willnot attempt it. It would be more dangerous for him than for my Brother John. We have seen its af-262fects upon the Warrens and I thought your Mamma was so well Convinced of the danger arrising from it as to prevent your Brother from the use of it, and I hope She will have an equal degree of influence upon mine.
Remember me to all who inquire after me. Do write me as often as you can find it Convenient and beleive me as sincerely your friend
Of 20 May, above.
Mrs. Cranch last Evening informed me, That a Mr. Standfast Smith of this Town is empowered to sell Verchilds Lands. Would it not be agreable to You to purchase those belonging to His Heirs which you have improved for some Years past?
Sometime past I sued Sloane and recovered judgment against Him. He has given a Release to the Lands mortgaged and I think it would be best to sell them as they can be no Profit to You. Should You be of that Opinion, Youll be pleased to write to me on the Subject. Will the Authority I now have be sufficient or must I have a particular Power for the Purpose.1
Rhode Island is suffering great Distress from their Paper Emission—and the State is in great Confusion—Trade stagnated Markets shut up—and the People begin to break open Stores seize Grain and sell it for Paper Money.
We have been in some doubt of the Utility of entering Mast. Thomas this present Year and as we had not heard from You, We had concluded to defer it. Last Week Mast. John showd me your Letter,2 in which I discoverd Your Expectations of his entering this Commencement. I expect to see Mr Shaw on this our Anniversary3 who I understand will bring Thomas with him to Cambridge; We shall consult upon the Matter and conduct agreable to what we suppose would be Your Mind were You present. If he enters the present Year I apprehend it will be best to have his Examination postpon
JA's power of attorney to Cotton Tufts,
JA to JQA, 26 May, above.
The 150th anniversary of the founding of Harvard College. The Boston Independent Ledger, 24 July, described the exercises at Harvard's 19 July commencement. The paper noted the “anniversary of Commencement” but made no mention of the number of years or any special celebration.