Adams Family Correspondence, volume 12

Abigail Adams to William Smith, 23 October 1797 Adams, Abigail Smith, William
Abigail Adams to William Smith
Dear sir East Chester october 23. 1797

As you was absent when I left home I was unable to pay you for some articles which you had purchased for me, as well as some which mrs smith had procured for me. if you will be so good as to forward me the amount, I will transmit it to you—

When I pay’d mr Fothingham for the Carriage, there were the quarter Lights and some other matters which made the carriage amount to more than our first agreement. I gave him a Note for the remainder for either 83 or 85 dollors. I have not the account here and cannot exactly determine. I inclose to you 90. you will be so good as to pay him, & the overpluss credit me for upon your account.1

I have been in this Solitude ever since I came; compared with 268 Quincy, it is indeed a solitude but lonely as it, is I should consider it preferable to the city if on looking round, any agreable prospects arose in my mind but all is dark and Gloomy. We have no intelligence of the col since June, nor has mrs smith received a line since— here we found her quite alone. she had been so for near a Month, and at times Melancholy enough, tho she says nothing unless drawn from her. we are however determined not to leave her here, if we go ourselves to Philadelphia. she seems loth to go with us— she cannot go from painfull scenes recollections and mortifications. I hope however she will be able to conquer them so as to go with us— I have assured her that she shall not be obliged to see any more company than she chuses—but to leave here here alone a prey to Grief and misfortune I cannot.

N york you will see by the publick papers, have manifested their attachment to the Goverment & their Satisfaction with the administration of the Executive by a splendid and magnificent Dinner to the President, and every other mark of Personal respect and Satisfaction which could have been hoped for or desired—

We see but a little way into futurity, and we know not what is before us— So we will hope for the Blessings of Peace & Plenty, and thankfull Hearts to enjoy them—

My kind regards to Mrs smith and Family to Dr and Mrs Welch, from your Friend,

Abigail Adams.

RC (MHi:Smith-Carter Family Papers); addressed by Louisa Catharine Smith: “Mr William Smith / Boston”; endorsed: “East Chester. Oct. 97 / “Mrs Adams.”

1.

William Smith’s reply of 8 Nov. provided an account of items he had purchased for the Adamses from August through October, including the $85.27 paid to Nathaniel Frothingham. Smith noted receipt of the money AA had enclosed in the 23 Oct. letter and reported a balance owed of $57.52. He also reported sending “2 packages of Fish,” commented on recent events in France, and announced that the frigate Constitution “is at last afloat … she is a fine Ship & I wish all her Officers may be equal to such a Ship” (Adams Papers).

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 25 October 1797 Adams, John Adams, Abigail
John Adams to Abigail Adams
My Dearest Friend Oct. 25. [1797]

I send you the Letters— I could not keep my hands off of Nabby’s.1 I beg her Pardon. They write me flattering Accounts from Phila. Mr Anthony writes most confidently. No danger. No fever—alls well.—2

When Brisler goes he should throw Lime into the Cellar Vault &c.

I think We ought to have been together to day. But tomorrow will do.

269

I am glad Malcom came out. We must prepare to go to Phila. the first Week in Novr. if no bad news.

Caroline & all are well

RC (Adams Papers); docketed: “J A to A A.”

1.

TBA to AA, 24 July, 17 Aug., JQA to AA, 29 July, all above, and JQA to JA, 10 Aug. (Adams Papers), for which see TBA to AA, 10 Sept., note 2, above. JQA and LCA’s joint letter to AA2 has not been found, but see AA2 to JQA, 4 Nov., below.

2.

Joseph Anthony wrote to Timothy Pickering on 21 Oct. reporting “the good News of the Fever having done in this City … there is Some of it yet; but it is going off Rapidly,— so that the Vissiting Doctors, and the health Committee assure me, the Citizens may Return Next week, or Even Now, with the most perfect Safety.—” Anthony asked Pickering to communicate this news to JA in New York “to Comfort and Compose his mind,” adding that “there is No Sort of Danger Near where he Resides.” Pickering forwarded the letter to JA, writing on the back, “the best account I have recd. from Philadelphia” (Adams Papers).