Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, February 6, 1820
[ , Start insertion, 6-14 Feb. 1820 , End, ] 6 Feb My Boys went off in the six oclock Stage, and Mr: A– myself, and Mary went to the…
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.
[ , Start insertion, 6-14 Feb. 1820 , End, ] 6 Feb My Boys went off in the six oclock Stage, and Mr: A– myself, and Mary went to the…
Washington 8th Feby 1820 My Dear Harriet The boys left us on Sunday morning intending to arrive at your house on Saturday Evening when to my astonishment and terror John…
Washington 19h March 1820 My Dear John I have just received your Letter and am very much pleased to find you all in such good spirits Why George should have…
[ , Start insertion, 23 March—1 April 1820 , End, ] 23 March—Our City is more and more deeply unwell of fears and gloom and every moment seems to teem…
[ , Start insertion, 3-17 April 1820 , End, ] 3 April—Mr: Lowndes spoke against Mr: Cs resolutions Mr Archer of Virginia is in favour being he made a speech…
Washington 7 April 1820 My dear John Your father has requested me to answer your Letter and to inform you that the Hume has already been given to Charles who…
[ , Start insertion, 16 April—3 May 1820 , End, ] 16 April—Went to Church at the Capital not full at all. Afterwards paid some visits—The remainder of the day…
Washington 12 June 1820 Mrs. Adams requests the favour of Mr. Mrs. & Miss Greenleafs company at Tea on Wednesday Eveng.
Washington 19 June 1820 Have you forgotten your Mother my dear John? or do you never mean to write again? I have been long impatiently waiting for Letters now a…
Washington 24 June 1820 My Dear John I was seriously concerned to hear of your illness and am still considerably uneasy < , Start deletion, of , End, > lest…
Washington 3d July 1820 My intention was to write you tomorrow morning it being the anniversary of your birth and to offer you my congratulations not only to wish you…
Washington 6 July 1820 Your Letters were both delivered to me yesterday the one by Dr Waterhouse and one by the Mail. I am very happy to observe that you…
Washington 12 July 1820 My dear John I am afraid that Charles has been writing some nonsense concerning Harriet Welsh which has caused you to write so disrespectfully concerning her…
Washington 3d Sept 1820 Dear George Your Letter has remained unanswered some time in consequence of the illness of Mary which has been pretty severe tho’ short she is now…
< , Start deletion, Washington , End, > Rose Hill 14 [ , Start insertion, September , End, ] 1820 My best friend We find ourselves so very comfortable here…
< , Start deletion, Washington , End, > Baltimore 22 Sept 1820 My Dear George My absence from the City must plead My excuse for not sooner congratulating you on…
Washington 27 Novbr: 1820 My dear Harriet According to your desire I burnt the Letter which you wrote me and respect greatly the anxiety you manifest for the subject of…
[ , Start insertion, 29 Nov.—15 Dec. 1820 , End, ] 29th Rode out and called on my patient who is fast recovering and able to raise his broken arm—In…
[ , Start insertion, 3-11 Dec. 1820 , End, ] Decbr. 3d Did not attend at Church Mr Ryland was to preach and his last sermon was such a strange…
Washington 22 March 1821 My Dear John I feel a little uneasy about you and therefore write you again to give you a timely caution as there are whispers concerning…
Washington 5 April 1821 My Dear Charles Your Letter full of complaints my dear Charles reached me yesterday and I am sorry to see you indulge still in a querrulous…
Washington 6 April 1821 My Dear John Your last Letter is as wild yourself you will acknowledge that is saying something? As to Diana Vernon’s they begin to be so…
Washington 8 April 1821 My Dear George Your ridiculous Letter as you call it was received yesterday and gave me great pleasure as at least it evinced all the discernment…
Washington 23d April 1821 My Dear Charles Your Shandean Letter is received with all its apologies and few amendments I will only say that you must remember excuses are inadmissible…