Abigail Adams to James Lovell, January 8, 1782
[ , Start insertion, Braintree 8? January 1782 1 , End, ]
Yes I have been Sick confined to my chamber with a slow fever. I have been unhappy through
anxiety for my dear Boy, and still am apprehensive of our terrible coast should he come upon
it, besides the tormenting cruizers infest our Bay with impuinity and take every thing. You
have heard I suppose that the passengers all left the Ship and went to Bilboa upon Gillions
abusive treatment of them. My Son was arrived there the day the vessel which brought the News
sailed, since which time have heard nothing from thence. The sympathetick part you took in my
suposed loss, bespeaks a feeling Heart. I thank Heaven I have not yet been called to taste the
bitter cup.
Your kind endeavours have at last happily succeeded and the Boxes have arrived in safety,
all the articles in much better Situation than I expected. The contents agree with your former
invoice tho not with Mr. A——s memorandom—the china came all safe, one plate and Glass excepted, which for such a journey is trifling indeed. I shall
acknowledge General Lincolns kind attention by a few lines to him. 2
You Query why Portia has not written to you as usual. The real reason was that she was
perplexed. The character which she supposed she had in former times corresponded with, was
that of a Man of Honour in publick and in private Life, sincere in his professions a Strickt
observer of his vows , faithfull to his promisses—in one word a
Moral and a Religious Man. Shall the cruel tongue of Slander impeach and abuse this character
by reporting that the most sacred of vows is voilated, that a House of bad fame is the
residence, and a M [istre] ss the Bosom associate.
Truth is the one thing wanting to forever withhold a pen. 3
An infamous falsehood I would believe it. My reason for inquiring a character was founded
upon the report. Sure I am I sought it not. Since the recept of your last, I have endeavourd
to come at the report in such a manner as should give you Satisfaction, this is the reason why
I have delayed writing but as I did not chuse to inquire but in a transient manner, I have not
been able to obtain it. I observed to you in my last that Massachusets air was necessary for
you. I still think so, as it would be the most effectual way to silence the abuse which for
near a year has circulated. I know your former reasons will recur and perhaps with more force
than ever. Indeed I pitty you. If cruelly used, my Heart Bleads for your troubles, and for your real and substantial misfortunes. I suppose I know your
meaning.
Post conveyances are so doubtfull and have been so dangerous that I cannot write freely
neither upon publick or private affairs.
You had as good be in Europe as Pensilvana for all the intelligence we have from Congress.
No journals, no news papers and very few Letters pass. Deans is taking great Latitudes, one
would think him a pensioned hireling by his Letters. Would to Heaven that the whole of his
Letters could be proved as false as the greater part of them, but are there not some
Sorrowfull Truths?