Abigail Adams to Catherine Nuth Johnson, March 2, 1798

Philadelphia March 2 1798

my Dear Madam

Yesterday the secretary of state received Letters from mr Adams at
Berlin dated Nov’ br 10 th &
17 th in which he says that he left Hamburgh on the 2d and
reachd Berlin on the 7 th. he had an interveiw with the
Minister. the King was informd of his arrival, and desired the Minister to express to
him the extreem regreet he felt at not being able to give him Audience, as his dangerous
illness wholy prevented him from doing buisness. he desired the Minister to express to
him the satisfaction he received from this Mark of attention from the united states, as
well as his regreet at being unable to give him his first Audience. 1

Mr Adams’s Letter of the 17 th informs
that the King of Prussia died yesterday morning at 9 oclock, and was immediatly
succeeded to the Throne by his son Frederic William the 3 d. concequently Mr Adams’s Credentials cannot be presented, untill new ones are sent him,
which will be as speedily as possible 2

He mentions having written Letters from Hamburgh of 31 of october,
which are not come to Hand; 3 as these
Letters are to the secretary of state & wholy upon publick buisness—no mention is
made of his private affairs, and as yet We have not any private Letters, tho I cannot but hope there are some. It was however a great Satisfaction to me, to learn
their safe arrival at Berlin; and my pleasure would be incompleat, if I did not embrace
the earliest opportunity of communicating it to you, Who I have not a doubt, take an
equal interest in the safety and prosperity of our Children

From our Envoys in France no official Communications have been
received, only vague News paper reports. their situation must I think be very painfull.
if they have attempted any communications with their Government, they have failed. that
they have been altogether silent, I know not how to believe. The Jacobins as usual, are
very insolent false and abusive upon the occasion— Indeed my dear Madam, the service of
this Government is not a Bed of Roses— in any department of it

The President unites with me, in presenting his Regards to mr
Johnson and Family. I forwarded a Letter to you from mrs smith. 4 I hope you received it—

I am dear Madam with Sentiments / of Esteem and Friendship / Yours
&c

A Adams 5