Abigail Adams to John Adams, January 12, 1789

New york Jan ry 12 th 1788 [1789]

my dearest Friend

I last wednesday received yours of Dec br 28 and should have
answerd by the post of thursday but that the mail for thursday closes on wednesday
Evening and does not give time for any replie to Letters which come by that post. I
wrote you from this place on sunday last. 1 at that time I was in hopes I should have been on my journey home before this, as we
have every thing in readiness to set out the day that we can get a sufficient quantity
of snow. Col Smith will bring me home at all events, even tho I should finally be
obliged to come in a carriage which we should be glad to avoid at this Season as the
Roads are bad, and the Ferries worse for crossing the stages change at the Ferries,
& do not cross at this season

Mrs Smith would even now venture to providance by water rather than be dissapointed of
her visit but with a young Baby and at this dangerous Season of the year Her Friends all
disswade her. tho I am sometimes more than half a mind to try it, the expence of taking
a coach & sending for me at this uncertain period when it might be detain’d by Snow
before it reach’d half way, would be really too great and I had rather suffer many
inconveniencies than you should attempt it. half a foot of snow or less would answer
very well, & we have daily reason to look for it. we have however concluded not to
bring william with us, as we imagine he will be much more troublesome than the Baby.
this is the Time that I hoped to have been at Home. I know you must be Lonesome—and my Boys want looking after or rather their things.

I am glad to find that Massachusetts behave so well. in this state the Legislature
& senate are at such varience that it is not expected that there will be any choice
at all, and should that be the case, they have little hopes of keeping Congress
here. 2 you judged right with respect to
the sitting of Congress. there is not the least probability of there meeting, nor is
there any occasion for it, on account of ushering in the New one. for when the New
Senate & House come together they chuse a pressident to receive and count the votes
from the different States, & declare the choice this is said to be the mode pointed
out by the constitution. the next post will bring us the choice of conneticut. 3

Since my arrival in Town I have received every mark of politeness and attention from
this people which I could have desired. Sir John & Lady Temple were among the first
to visit me. I have been to Count montier to a Ball given by him; 4 and to the Assembly. I have dinned at one place
& supped at an. or nether Sat at table (for suppers I discard), untill I am fully
satisfied with dissipating. we have however kept very good Hours, as mrs Jay is like to
have an addition to her Family she is obliged to be circumspect. 5 my own Heaeth is much better this winter than it
has been for several years. I attribute it much to my Journey. I want to know how you
bear the cold. last Evening we had a light fall of snow just sufficient to cover the
Grund but it will all run to day. the clouds are however gathering for more. I hope I
shall not have occasion to write again before I see you. my Love to the children &
to Brother & Sister Cranch with whom I sympathize under their late affliction. I
would write to sister—but hope soon to see her. be so good as to tell Brisler that he
must keep some of the pears untill we come mr & mrs Jay desire their affectionate
Regards to you. he is a plain as a Quaker, and as mild as New milk, but under all this,
an abundance of Rogury in his Eye’s. I need to say to you who so well know him, that he
possesse’ an excellent Heart. mrs Jay has all the vivacity of a French woman blended
with the modesty & Softness of an American Lady.

adieu visiters call upon me. I have received & returnd more than forty visits
already—

Yours affectionatly

Abigail Adams