Adams Family Correspondence, volume 8

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 May 1789 Adams, John Adams, Abigail
John Adams to Abigail Adams
New York. 19. May. 1789 My dearest Friend

inclosed is a Letter from Captn. Brown who commands the best Packet between Providence and this Place.—1 He called very politely and respectfully to offer his service in bringing you to New York.— if you can let him know the time when you can come, he will be ready.

I have taken an House: but have nothing to put in it, [no]r to live on.— nothing is yet determined, I never felt so [ir]resolute and undetermined what to do.— I approve of the Idea of Sending the Furniture by Tirrell, and some of the Books—not many.2 But I think it is 357best to wait till Something is determined by the House.— I have written another Letter to President Willard, asking leave for Charles to come with you.—3 I must give up the pleasing Idea of Seeing Thomas, for the present.— Mr & Mrs Smith were in Town to day, and I dined with them at Mr Mc.Cormicks. They and their Children are well.— I have this moment recd a delightful Letter from Dr Price, in which he remembers you with the kindest affection.4 I will write you, the Moment any Thing is settled.

My Sincere Thanks to Mr Wibird for his Remembrance of me in his Prayers. It is to me, a most affecting Thing to hear myself prayed for in particular as I do every day in the Week, and disposes me to bear, with more Composure, Some disagreable Circumstances, that attend my Situation.— My Duty to my Mother and Love to all.— I hope my Brother will take the Place, and plant the Hill— You must take the best Advice you can, and do as well as you can. I have it not in my Power to assist you, but with [the] / best Wishes of yours most tenderly

John Adams

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs Adams / Braintree / near Boston”; notation: “Free / John Adams.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.

1.

Capt. James N. Brown, who sailed the sloop Hancock between Providence and New York, wrote to JA on 18 May (Adams Papers): “Hearing that your Good Lady is to Come On from providince to york by Water & Concious of haveing the best accomedated packet in That Line Induces me to Solicit the honour of Bringing Mrs Addams on & be Assured good Sir that It Shall be my Whole Study to accomedate her Ladyship.” Brown also recommended Mr. Daggett's Inn, where AA eventually stayed in Providence (see AA to Mary Smith Cranch, 19 June, and note 3, below).

2.

Capt. Joseph Tirrell (1752–1825) of Weymouth carried freight between Boston and New York in the schooner Weymouth (New York Journal, 4 Dec. 1787; History of Weymouth , 3:361, 4:660).

3.

Not found.

4.

Richard Price wrote to JA on 5 March (Adams Papers). He commented that “my best complimts wait on Mrs Adams. My congregation can never forget that She and you once made a part of it. May Heaven grant you both whatever can make you most happy.”

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 May 1789 Adams, John Adams, Abigail
John Adams to Abigail Adams
New York. May. 24. 1789 My dearest Friend

I have received your Letter of the 16th.— I have taken a large and handsome house, in a beautiful Situation, about two miles out of the City, upon the North River. The Rent is less, than I must have given for a much meaner house in Town, without any such accommodations of Stable Garden, Pasture &c

I now desire you to come on, as soon as possible, and to Send by Tirrell, or some other Vessel, Beds, & Bedding—all the Linnen for 358Beds & Table, Knives & Forks, China, Glass, Kitchen Furniture—in short all the [fur]niture of the House in a manner. Some of the smaller looking Glasses—but the large ones, not yet.— Yet I dont know but it would be best to bring even them.— Furniture here is monstrously dear. Ask the Dr. if it is adviseable to insure? My Books some of them may come too— The Books I wish for, are hume, Johnson Priestley, Ainsworths Dictionary,1 and Such other Books as may be most amusing and useful— The great Works and Collections I would not bring on. But Blackstone and De Lolme on the English Constitution and the Collection of American Constitutions I would have Sent on.—2 I am encouraged to expect that the House will do something that will enable Us to live, tho perhaps not very affluently.

The Place must be left, as you can.— I can form no Judgment about it.— Charles must come with you.— And Polly—and Elijah, if his Parents are willing.

Mrs Washington, will be here before you, without doubt—she is expected daily.— My Garden is preparing for your Reception, and I wish you were here.

my dearest friend Adieu

J. A.

Livy and Tacitus & Cicero I would have sent, and a Plutarch in french or English &c.

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs Adams / Braintree near / Boston”; notation: “Free / John Adams.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.

1.

Robert Ainsworth, Dictionary, English and Latin: A New Edition, with Great Additions, ed. Thomas Morell, London, 1773 ( Catalogue of JA's Library ).

2.

Jean Louis de Lolme, The Constitution of England; or, An Account of the English Government, London, 1775. For The Constitutions of the Several Independent States of America, see JA, Papers , 11:477, note 1.