Abigail (daughter of JA and AA) Adams to John Quincy Adams, May 3, 1782

Braintree May 3d. 1782

I am conscious my dear Brother that I have appeared deficient in my duty and affection by
neglecting to write you often. I have very little encouragement to continue a correspondance
without any return from you. I do not believe you deficient in writing; it is a disagreable
circumstance that we receive so small a part of the letters that are written. Mamma has
receiv’d letters from Pappa and Mr. Thaxter as late as December and from yourself so late as
October from Petersbourg. I was not made happy by one line, have you forgot your Sister. No
such an idea shall ever dwell in my mind. We lament the loss of the letters, Gillon had in his
possession. You will no doubt hear of his conduct ere this reaches you. Charles after many
distresses and dangers has safe landed on his native shore. The anxiety we suffered from an
apprehension of his danger was great: it is now fully recompensed by his safe return to those friends that dearly love him. He was ever a
favourite you know, and still continues to possess the amiable qualities that in his younger
years gained the affection of his friends. You, my Brother are far, very far removed from your
friends and connections: it is a painfull reflection to those that have parted with a son and
a Brother. It is not the person that goes abroad in quest of any object whether Knowledge,
business, or pleasure that is pained by the seperation. Every object they meet
imprint [s] new ideas on their minds; new scenes soon engage their attention,
still looking forward they have but little time to reflect on their past time, the pleasure
they receive is so much more than a balance for the pain that their time passes in almost an
uninterrupted course of happiness. On the contrary the friends they leave are still dwelling
on the painfull event that deprived them of much happiness; no pleasing scenes present to the
mind, the imagination pained with a repetition of past pleasures and present pains seeks a new
source in anticipating future events.

You are I hope sensible of the peculiar advantages you are receiving. Very few at any age of
life possess so great a share. It is your own fault if you neglect to make a right improvement
of the talents that are put into your hands; your reflections in a future day will be
brightened if you can look back on your past conduct conscious of not having deviated from the
path of your duty. I will not draw a contrary supposition.

Some persons Lives are scarcely clouded by any event unfavourable to their happiness,
fortune seems to court their favour and pour liberally her blessings on their wishes. We see
another character struggling with events through life: all their intentions appear to be
frustrated, and every wish is clouded by a disappointment. To judge from the few years you
have passed in Life the former seems descriptive. But do not be deceived by appearances; she
may yet have in store for you, trials and troubles unthought of; neither distress yourself
with events that may never take place but learn this necessary lesson neither to be too much
elated with prosperity nor depressed with adversity. Could I anticipate your soon return it
would give me much pleasure. The pleasure we shall receive from a mutual exchange of
friendship and sentiments when the happy period shall arrive will I hope be increased greatly
by so long a seperation. I know of no opportunity of conveyance soon, but whenever this
reaches you, let it remind you of the pleasure you ever give your Sister by answering her
letters. May you my Brother return and answer the expectations of your Friends is the sincere wish of your affectionate friend and
sister.