Louisa Catherine Adams was the first lady of the United States from 1825 to 1829 during the presidency of her husband John Quincy Adams. She was born in England and raised in France. Her father was an influential American merchant, and she was regularly introduced to prominent Americans. After her family returned to England, she met John Quincy Adams in 1795, and the two began a tenuous courtship. They married in 1797 after being engaged for a year, beginning a marriage of disagreements and personality conflicts. She joined her husband on his diplomatic mission to Prussia, where she was popular with the Prussian court. When they returned to the United States, her husband became a senator and she gave birth to three sons. John was appointed minister to the Russian Empire in 1809, and they traveled to the Russian Empire without their two older sons, against Louisa's wishes.
Washington 3d February 1819 Dear Charles I was delighted with your Letter and was only sorry you did not mention your health, which I understand has been very indifferent, and…
[ , Start insertion, 11-26 Feb 1819 , End, ] Feby 11 Mr Bailey called this morning and informed us that Mr Pinckney was to speak at the Supreme Court…
[ 13 Feb.—6 Mar 1819 ] Feby 13—A very bad cold—The day very stormy which prevented my going out—Mr. Bailey passed the evening with us—The question on Genl. Jackson’s affairs…
Washington 17 Feby 1819 My Dear Harriet In the midst of bustle and preparation for a small party of 400 and some person’s I cannot refrain from writing you a…
[ , Start insertion, 18-26 Feb 1819 , End, ] Feby. 18th The Evening brought my expected guests or rather a small part of them and on the whole the…
Washington 22d March 1819 You reproach me unjustly my dear John and I suspect you received a long letter from me the 15 or 16 of the Month, in answer…
Washington 30th. March 1819 Dear John Your Letter of the 22 enclosing the lines you wrote arrived yesterday and both your father and myself were much pleased with them—The idea…
Washington 10 April 1819 I have been so unwell the whole of this week my dear John, it has not been in my power to answer your Letter as soon…
12 April [ , Start insertion, 1819 , End, ] My Dear Sir Two of your very kind Letters were brought me on Friday and Saturday and I should have…
Washington 13 April 1819 My dear John Yesterday brought me your Letter of the 7th which I was sorry announced a mishap which gave me some concern—I recommend you for…
Washington 14 April 1815 My Dear Sir It is always painful to be the bearer of bad tidings and yet it is a duty from which we cannot fly.—I have…
Washington 16 April 1819 Yes! my Dear Sir, was my mind sufficiently strong, or capacious, to understand, or even to comprehend, the study of antient and modern philosophy I am…
Washington 23d May 1819 My Dear John Your letter of the 16 was received yesterday & I hasten to answer it that you may not have reason to complain of…
Washington 23d May 1819 Why what is the matter my Son? surely when you wrote your last Letter you must have been suffering from a billious attack and saw every…
Washington 17 July 1819 Dear Sir I have been so unwell with the Chicken pox since I returned from Virginia and the weather has been so hot, that I could…
Washington 1 August 1819 I was much gratified by the receipt of your Letter my dear George yesterday at noon and am somewhat surprized to find that you have not…
Washington 4 August 1819 As I know how much your time must be engrossed by your studies my Dear John altho’ the temporary loss of your correspondence will grieve me…
Washington 16 August 1819 I am very uneasy my dear John at your indisposition more especially as you do not mention its nature—I hope the heaviest part of your labour…
Washington 17 August 1819 My Dear Son You will probably have received the translations I sent you my dear Son of Plato as I understand you have made a visit…
Washington 15 Novbr. 1819 I should sooner have answered your Letter my Son had I not expected to hear that you had received Booth’s Journal the first Number of which…
Washington 21 Novbr. 1819 My dear George I have at length received your Letter, after having unpatiently waited untill your more important avocations were so far terminated, as to permit…
Washington 26 Novbr. 1819 Dear Sir The day before yesterday our City was enlivened suddenly by the report of the ratification of the Spanish Treaty and every thing looked gay…
[ , Start insertion, January 22-27, 1820 , End, ] Jany 22 The ettiquette question will soon be put down as the fathers of the Nation now decline all pretence…
[ , Start insertion, 27 Jan—6 Feb 1820 , End, ] 27th. Jany Remained at home all the morning in the course of which twenty cards were left—At five oclock…