Abigail Adams to Abigail (daughter of JA and AA) Adams, April 27, 1800

Philadelphia April 27 th. 1800.

My dear Mrs Smith

I have been so much engaged that I have not been able to
get time to write you a line this week. I have paid four visits to the
Secretarie’s ladies, and took tea with them, and one to Mrs Senator Read,
all of which you know by experience takes up time. we had on thursday 14
couple of young ladies and gentlemen to dine, Bingham, Hares, Whites,
Wilsons, Peter’s, Rush’s, Pinckney’s, Breck’s, Reads, and Bard, & Miss
Duane from New York. 1 Whilst
at dinner Thomas, rose, or rather just before I left the table, he came and
whispered “suppose we have a dance this evening,” with all my heart provided
it is thus accidentally struck up, but you must not sit long at table. They
all came to the drawing room to tea, & in the meantime the tables were
cleared, the room lighted up, and by eight o clock they were all dancing,
they kept it up till 12, when they all retired. A happier or pleasanter
circle I have not seen together. Maria Morris, was also of the party, &
two Miss Walice’s, several of them expressed great satisfaction, coming so
unexpectedly, when it was so little contemplated, said they should place it
amongst the happiest evenings of their lives. You will see from the trial of
Cooper, from that of three French Pirates Fries that neither calumny,
treason, or Piracy, are tolerated by even Philadelphia juries. 2 May justice and judgment be the
stability of our Government, and Mercy temper justice where it can, may our
laws be a terror to evil doers, whilst they encourage those who do well. I
believe these decisions will work out our safety. I consider them of much
greater importance than the mutiny’s on board a ship or two, one of which
was occasioned by a refusal to let the sailor’s have lights, 3 it shows however a spirit of
disorder and insubordination which must be quelled and by severity if no
mild measures will do. I think however that representations should be made,
and precautions taken to gaurd against surprize. We should at all times be
ready for defence.

Your affectionate / Mother

A. A.