Abigail Adams Smith to John Quincy Adams, September 28, 1798

Quincy Sept 28 th 1798

my Dear Brother

the Enclosed letter our Dear Mamma has requested me to enclose to
you and to write to you she brought it with her from Philadelphia and has intended to
write to you herself but has not been able 1 she has been very much indisposed ever since she has been at home with a Bilious
dissorder and has been brought very low with it, but is now we hope better and upon the
recovery

I came on with our Parents to make a visit to my two Sons who have
been at an Academy at Atkinson and with our Aunt Peabody for the last twelve months. I
have not been here before for five years the Illness of our Dear Mother has cast a gloom
over the face of every thing here—and it scarce seems like home without her enlivening
chearfullness

Congress did not rise untill late in july which brought it to such
extreme hot weather as made it very uncomfortable travelling—and we have had the warmest
Summer that has been known for many years the Thermometer has stood at 96 often—and when
removed to a Situation exposed to the Sun has risen to an hundred and three degrees—

the President left Philadelphia very quietly, intending to take an
Easy journey to this Place—but he was interrupted by Troups of Horse and Escorts through
most of the Principle Towns through which he passed which as demonstrations of respect
evencing the attachment of the People, and their entire approbation of his
Administration—were certainly sattisfactory and pleasing altho the extreme heat Dust and
agitation of such a journey has been very prejudicial to our Dear Mother 2

when you come to peruse our News papers you will observe I am sure
with great pleasure the rising spirit of the People of America expressed Universally in
their Addresses to the President—and I dare say you will be highly gratified with the
Answers

French Politicks are becoming quite old Fashion, and those who
advocate them, loosing the Confidence of the People

We begin Already to experience the good affects of our Navy, our
Coast is kept clear of French Privateers, and our European Vessells which used to fall
Victims to them are arriving daily— Capt Nickolson of the Frigate Constitution has
recently captured a French Corvette with 20
Guns. and two hundred Men—and we have accounts this day of the Capture of three other
Privateers by other Ships— 3

The extreme heat of the weather United with other causes have
produced the Yellow fever in Philadelphia New York, Boston, New London, & Portsmouth
its ravages have not been in Boston equal to either of the other Cities but a great
Number of the inhabitants have left the Town— in New York and Philadelphia it has been
extremely fatal—and has totally baffled the power of Medicine and Physical skill— from
40 to 60 have died of a day for many weeks. it is said that 30 thousand of the
inhabitants have left the City— the Physicians have pronounced that the only safety was
in Flight 4

the Putrid State of the Air in Boston has been supposed to arise
from a quantity of spoiled Fish which was incautiously thrown into the Dock and became
putrid and has affected the air of the Town in those parts Contiguous to it— most of the
Stores have been Shut and very little business done since the Midle of july

Franklin Beach, Fenno and Greenleaf in New York have died with it
and many others but none of our particular acquaintances or near Connections 5 our Dear Aunt Peabody has lost her Daughter
Betsy Shaw, in a Consumption—which is an event that has afflicted her much— she was sick
but seven months it has almost broke her heart— she was just grown up—and was a
promising Child. her Son William has taken his degree at College this year and now
Serves the President as private Secretary

we are in great hopes of the pleasure of Saluting our Dear Brother
Thomas soon on this side the Atlantick— I sincerely pray he may be preserved from
falling into the Power—of any Enemy—and particularly of French Pirates he is very much
wanted here you may be assured

And now my Dear Brother let me request you to present me
affectionately to , Start deletion, your , End, my Dear Sister and to
beleive me yours affectionately

A S—