Adams Family Correspondence, volume 9
th1791
I have received your two Kind letters of Decr 8th and 17th and am much obliged for your good wishes, and advice1 I have no desire to mix with the World or associate with any but my friends during the absence of my Husband—retirement from the World and an intercourse with, and attention, to ones family and friends are I presume Compatiable— the former it is my wish to observe the latter Contributes much to alleviate the Solitude of my situation I am as happy in the society of Colln Smiths family as I can be during his absence— they are very friendly disposed and we have ever lived in the greatest Harmony—which has ever given me pleasure—
Colln Smiths voyage was not I hope undertaken without due consideration and I wish it may succeed equal to his expectations, those friends to whom he Communicated the object; have approved of it—
But if he had been treated by those in Power as he was entitled to expect he would not have been compelled to have undertaken it a paragraph in this days paper mentions that he has been sent by the President on Public Service—which Shews the Worlds opinion that he ought to have been attended to, in past appointments I most ardently wish that the result of his present voyage may render him independant of their smiles or favours—2
my Mamma mentions that you wished to forward to Colln Smith some journals and papers— there are frequently Vessells going from Hence—but unless some Passenger would take a Pacquet the expence of Postage would be great—
I am very happy to hear that my Brother is recovering his health sincerely do I wish that it may be permanently established— the Wellfare Health and prosperity of your family my Dear Pappa—are too nearly connected with my happiness—for me not to regret any of those events which may interfere with either—in any branch of it— and to hear of their happiness—will ever Contribute largely to that of your / Dutifull and affectionate Daughter
RC (Adams Papers). Filmed at 17 Jan. 1791.
JA's letter of 8 Dec. 1790 has not been found.
The New York Daily Advertiser reported on 7 Jan. 1791 that “We have it from good authority, that Colonel David Humphries and William S. Smith, Esq. have lately been dispatched, by the President of the United States, to Europe, in official capacities. Mr. Smith, it is supposed to the Court of London. The object of their embassies unknown.” The next day the paper printed a letter from “A. B.” correcting the notice: 176“Whatever might have been the object in sending the former, it is well known in this city, that the business of Mr. Smith in Europe was merely of a private nature.” WSS did in fact make diplomatic contacts while in London; see
WSS to JA, 5 Aug., and note 1, below.
y.7. 1791—
I am happy to find by Mr. Adam's's Letter of Dec. 14. that You have in a great Measure recovered Your Health.1 I sympathize with you under the Sickness of Your Son and others in Your Family. I sincerely wish for his and their Restoration to Health, & hope by this Time that they have regain'd it and that you are sit down in some Degree of Ease & Tranquillity— Your Scituation in Life must necessarily expose You to numerous Visits, Ceremonies, Entertainments, Etiquette &c &c. these must of Course subject You to great Fatigue & much Care, and I fear has & will have a material Operation on Your Health, but as they are in some Measure unavoidable, Will it not be Wisdom to simplify so far as to make them as little burdensome as possible? Why might not You & the Presidents Lady consult & agree upon a simple Mode of conducting Visits of entertaining Company &c &c? Might You not acting in Conjunction establish a Mode respecting these that would become a Law to our American Gentry? In this Way might You not get rid of much Trouble and do essential Service to our Nation?
I have not as yet loaned your public Securities waiting for your Instructions respecting the Mode of doing it, they must either be loaned in my own Name, or as Trustee to Mrs. A. Adams, if taken in my own Name they must (to make them your Property) be formally transferred, if taken as Trustee they will be secured to Your Use & need no Transfer If taken in my own Name & transferred to You, as well as in the other Way, Your Name will be known— perhaps You may think of some Method that may answer Your Wishes & conceal the Name
I wish without Delay to know what measures You would have pursued the coming Year respecting the Farm on which Pratt lives; as near as I can calculate from Acctts rendered in, your half produces about £26. annually, out of this Rates & Repairs are to be deducted—
I engaged the Tongues & 1 bb. Beef 5 or Six Weeks past & expected to have sent them immediately but unfortunately missd of getting them on Board the Philad Vessel, they will be sent by the 177first oppy— the other Two Barrells of Beef You wrote for I concluded to delay sending them till Februay as the best Beef for Barrelling will then be at market—
Mrs. Tufts joins me in Affectionate Regards to you Mr. Adams & Family
I am Your Affectionate Friend & H Ser
P.S. We have been much blocked up with Snow during the Week past, which will prevent my seeing Mr. J. Q. Adams before he sets off for Philadelphia2
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs. Abigail Adams—”
Not found.
JQA noted in his Diary a “Violent Snow Storm” on 1 Jan. (D/JQA/16, APM Reel 19).