Abigail Adams to John Adams, April 23, 1781

April 23 1781

My Dearest Friend

You will wonder I suppose to what part of the world all the Letters you have written since
the 25 of Sepbr. are gone, that not a line of a later date has reachd me, even up to this 23
day of April. My Heart sickens at the recollection, and I most sensibly feel the sacrifice of
my happiness from the Malignant Union of Mars with Belona. My two dear Boys cannot immagine
how ardently I long to fold them to my Bosom, or the still dearer parent conceive the flood of
tenderness which Breaks the prescribed Bounds and overflows the Heart, when reflection upon
the past, and anticipation upon the future unite in the mind of Portia. Unaccustomed to tread
the stage of dissipation, I cannot shake of my anxiety for my Country and my dearest
connextions, in the Beau Mond , whilst the one is Bleading, and
the others seperated far, far from me, but in a frugal and republican stile; I pass the lonely
Hour, with few enviers and fewer Imitators. 1

Your predictions with regard to peace and war are verified and the united Provinces are at
last obliged to declare themselves. Happy for them if they had sooner attended to the voice of
their Friends, they would then I dare venture to affirm been sooner upon their gaurd against
the Hostile depredations of Britain, but if the old Batavian Spirit still exists among them,
Britain will Rue the Day that in Breach of the Laws of Nations, she fell upon their
defenceless dominions, and drew upon her, as it is thought she must, the combined force of all
the Neutral powers. If these people do not possess an ambition for conquest, yet they have
heretofore exhibited a spirit superior to domination, that Spirit which prompted them to repel
the Tyranny of Philip administerd by the cruel Alva, will excite them under superior
advantages to Retaliate the Hostilities of the British Alva, that Spirit which prompted from
Prince William that Heroick reply, “that he would die in the last Ditch, e’er he would see his
Countrys ruin,” will cement an indissoluble bond of union between the united States of America
and the united Provinces who from a similarity of circumstances have each arrived at
Independance disdaining the Bondage and oppression of a Philip and a Gorge. 2

Our own American affairs wear a more pleasing aspect. Maryland has acceeded to the
confederation at the very time when Britain is deludeing herself with the Idea that we are
crumbling to peices. New York has given up her claims to Vermont, and a 14tenth State will
soon lift her Head under the auspices of Congress. 3 Our Leavies are generally raised for 3 years and on their March to join the main Army. The
Spring is advanceing and our Soldiers will have less occasion for cloathing—patience,
perseverance and intrepidity have been their Armour and their cloathing through an inclemnant
Winter. Who is answerable for the shamefull conduct which deprived them of their outward
cloathing which they had reason to expect and justice demanded. I presume not to say, but if
the omission has arisen from fraud, negligence or cabal, may the inhumane wretches be exposed
to view and meet the infamy they justly merrit.

You will see by the paper inclosed that the Seat of war is chiefly in the Southern States,
and there our Enemies by victories and defeats are wasteing daily, whilst they are training to
Arms, and inureing to dicipline and hardships those states as they have before our Northern
ones, to persue them to Inevitable distruction, and to prove to all Europe the falsity of
their assertions, when not a single State submits to their haughty userpations, in all their
Boasted conquered dominions.

Our Finnances have been upon a much more respectable footing for some time. Goods of all
kinds fell in their prices, and exchange kept at
75 for one for five months. The Capture of Eustatia and the War between Holland and england
has raised Goods again Tea in a particular manner to double what it ever has been before, it
was down to a hard dollor per pound or 75 it is now at 15 Shillings.

I have thought that a small chest of about one hundred weight of Bohea Tea, would turn to as
good an account as any thing you could send me. This Letter is to go by a vessel of Mr.
Tracys. If you think it expedient you may order it by her, as it will come freight free if
consigned to him, as the other articles were from Bilboa.

The best Green Tea I have ever had was that sent by Davis. If you send again, let it be
Suchong, it is not so dear and answers better here. The Bandano hankerchiefs from Holland were
the best article for sale I have ever received. The chints you were so kind as to order me by
Sampson arrived—safe I cannot say. They were put up with some things which came to Mr. Austins
Brother and were so unfortunate as to be wet, and half of them damaged, mildewed and in a
manner spoilt. I parted with them in the best manner I could, the damaged for rather more than
the sterling cost and the others very well. They were all good as well as handsome which
renderd it more unfortunate to have them wet, but the cargo was so in general.—As to my long
expected trunk, it has at last arrived in Philadelphia. 4 I am 10th to discribe the state of it, because I am loth to make you
angry, yet you ought to know it, least the person who put them up should again be imployed by
you. I have neither Letter or invoice, which is the first time an omission of this kind has
taken place. I cannot determine the price of a single article or know what were really put up,
or what omitted. From your Letters alone in which you have repeated that all was orderd which
was requested, and the loss of all Dr. Tufts things; leads me to think that the many others
which are missing were stolen out. My Muslin hankerchiefs, Aprons, Nabbys plumes, Mr. Tufts
Buckles, Brothers velvet, the linings and trimmings for the Gentlemens cloaths are among the
missing articles. According to Mr. L [ovel] l [’s] invoice for
I have not yet seen them. When I found they would be like to go to Philadelphia I requested
Mr. L——1 to receive them for me when ever they arrived, and it was well he did or what remaind
would have been intirely lost. They were put in a Box without any wraper, through the cracks
of which you might see the things; they were liable not only to be wet but plunderd, both of
which they sufferd. Dr. Winship whom I have seen, says that when Mr. Moylan requested him to
take them; he refused them, unless he would repack them, and purchase a hair Trunk for them;
he replied that he had no money in his hands, that he had sent the account to you, and you had paid it, and that if he would not take it, he would deliver it to
Capt. Jones, which he accordingly did; when Mr. L——1 received them together with a Box for Mr.
Gerry, they were in a smoaking state. He examined his, found them rotton upon which Mr. L——1
unpacked mine and found them so wet as to oblige him to dry every thing by the fire. The
linnings, the diaper all damaged, Mrs. Cranchs cambrick mildewed, happily the wollen cloths
were only wet, the leather Gloves quite rotton. I could wish you to repeat that article by the
first opportunity and order a peice of wollen between every pair as they are the most liable
to damage by wet. The Box of china was deliverd safe to Mr. L——1. If this should reach you
before the Alliance leaves France be so kind as to order me one half a dozen tombour worked
Muslin hankerchiefs, 4 Ells Book Muslin, one pound of white threads, 12 Ells of light crimson
caliminco with a peice of coarse cambrick and any light wollen stuff that will answer for
winter gowns, half a dozen coulourd plumes and a small Box of flowers for Miss Nabby at her
request to her pappa. My chints came just in time to enable me to purchase the 3 part of a Man
which fell to my share in the class to which I belonged at the head of which I had the Honour to stand. We gave 300 hard Dollors for 3 years, and a third
part fell to my share, a third part is paid in hand, the remainder annually. The Town was
divided into classes, and in about a months time the men were all raised. 38 fell to the share
of this Town. 5

Poor Mrs. D [an] a says she is taxed to death and she shall be ruined if he
stays any longer. What shall I say—why that I have paid 21 hundred pounds since last July,
Lawfull money, and have a thousand pound still to pay, and that you have enabled me to do
it—but I do not increase in wealth, nor yet diminish the capital.—I have ventured to make some
improvements in Husbandry and have a desire to become a purchaser in the State of Vermont. I
may possibly run you in debt a hundred dollors for that purpose. Many people are removeing
from this Town, and others. Land is sold at a low price, what do you think of a few thousand
acres there? I know you would like it, so shall venture the first opportunity a hundred and 20
or 30 dollors will Buy a thousand acres. 6

I have written very often to you by way of Spain and Bilboa, which places I wish you would
try. If you sent me any thing by the Fame, let me know. She is lost or taken—and Mr. Guile we
fear in her. Adieu my dear Friend my Love must suffice my dear
Lads now. I have not time to write to them or Mr. T [haxte] r.

Yours ever yours,

Portia