Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to John Adams, April 25, 1821
Washington 25 April 1821 My Dear John You become so testy I almost begin to feel disinclined to write to you at all as my Letters instead of contributing to…
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 25 April 1821 My Dear John You become so testy I almost begin to feel disinclined to write to you at all as my Letters instead of contributing to…
Washington 29 April 1821 My Dear George Mary is amusing me as usual in crying and whining because I suggest to her the necessity of some occupation She has written…
Washington 4 May 1821 My Dear Charles You reproach me without a cause and I dare say you got your Letter the very day after you wrote—My time has however…
Washington 3d June 1821 My Dear Charles We yesterday went fishing for the first time and to my great astonishment on looking up our Tackle found your rod or rather…
Washington 3d June 1821 My Dear John Your Letter pleased both your father and myself as your reasoning is very good and shows reflection and forethought I beg as a…
Washington 12 June 1821 My Dear Charles Poor Mariano is dead. On Sunday Even’—he was sitting reading the new Tragedy of Lord Byron when he laid the Book down and…
Washington 12 June 1821 My Dear John Your Letter reached me last Eveng. and I am very sorry to learn that your Grandfather is so feeble as it is a…
Washington 19 June 1821 My Dear Charles I congratulate you upon the recovery of your spirits; and I do not know what to say about Langdon as I doubt if…
Washington 19 June 1821 My Dear John Your Letter pleased and displeased me; the goodness and purity of your motives can never admit of a doubt, but there are ways…
Quincy 3d. August 1821 My very dear friend Mr. Shaw brought me your letter last night of the 29 and you may be assured I will attend to the confidential…
Quincy 9 August 1821 My best friend Your Letter was brought to my chamber door and thrown in by your father this morning before I was up he having heard…
Quincy 12 August 1821 This will probably be the last time I shall write you as your journey will commence soon after the receipt of this Letter. My present object…
Quincy 18 August 1821 My dearest friend The style in which my Letter of the 3d was written, pretty clearly evinced by its apologetic nature, the fear I felt of…
Washington 30 Octr. 1821. My Dear Charles Regularity and method are so essential to the acquisition of real knowledge that the little annoyance of the Bell is a trifle to…
Washington 31 October 1821 My Dear & honoured Sir Since my return home George has so well supplied my place in writing to you and we have had so few…
Washington 5 Novbr 1821 Dear Sir When at Quincy you have often reproached me for being prejudiced concerning the Unitarians and not willing < , Start deletion, to listen ,…
Washington 11 Novbr. 1821 My Dear Charles When I left you I did not think you were so soon to assume the sacerdotal vestment but I sincerely congratulate you on…
Washington 11 Novr. 1821 My Dear John I make no charges against you what ever and on the contrary am delighted to find that if I did you can so…
Washington 20 Jany 1822. My Dear Charles At length I feel well enough to write you again though I have no reason to hope that my correspondence will be renewed…
Washington 20 Jany. 1822. My Dear John Being much better in health I seize the opportunity of writing a few lines to you and your brother— There are some actions…
Washington 11 March 1822 My Dear Charles I know why it is but I write with so much difficulty and feel so much averse to undertake it I am ever…
Washington 11 March 1822 My Dear John I yesterday received your Letter and was very much concerned to observe the depression of spirits under which you laboured, but the rapid…
Washington 6 April 1822 My Dear Charles I am afraid that you read my letters in as great a hurry as you appear to do every thing else otherwise I…
Washington 29 May 1822 My Dear Charles I am sorry to say that your last Letter was so badly written that I could scarcely read it and I again implore…