Abigail Adams to John Adams, April 25, 1782

April 25 1782

My Dearest Friend

Whenever any difficulty encompasses me, my first thought is how would my Friend conduct in
this affair. I wish to know what his mind would be and then to act agreable to it. If I err in
my conduct it is an error of the judgement, not of the Heart. Wholy deprived of your aid, and
even advice in domestick occurences, my next resource is in that of my Friends. My present
difficulty arrises from the demand upon me for C [harle] s passage Home.

I have once written to you respecting it, 1 but
least you should not receive it, I repeat several things already written together with what
has since occured. When Mr. J [ackso] n arrived and came to
B [raintre] e to see me, I inquired of him what measures he had taken with
regard to C——s expences after he left Gillion, where I presumed you had provided for him. I
had received no Letters from you, so that I was wholy Ignorant. He replied that when he
arrived at Bilboa he drew a Bill upon Mr. de Nuffville a part of which he appropriated to C——s
use, of which he had informd you, that he had not his accounts with him, a memorandum excepted
of a few articles, that he had not paid the expences from Beverly, where they first arrived,
but as soon as he had done it, he would make up the account and send it, together with a
balance which he had left, of a few dollors. He then Shew me the Mem’dum, which containd as
near as I can recollect a charge of 57 dollors for Stores, one peice of linnen of an ordinary
Quality, the price I forget (this he thought necessary as C——s had lost half his shirts
together with one pair of sheets, stockings &c. stolen from him), 2 yard of Cambrick, 2
Barcelona hank [erchie] fs and a Hat which was charged 4 dollors, C——s having
his in Mr. Guiles Trunk with some other
articles and that I suppose you know before this time was on Board Gillion. A Sailors Baize
Jacket and trousers compleated the mem’dum. With regard to the expences of living there, you
are better acquainted than I am, and must judge for yourself, as I have not a single paper
that will enable me to do it. After waiting some time I sent to Col. Crafts where Major J.
lodged for the papers, but he was not at home, and there was none left. The same Week he went
to Hingham to see General L [incol] and caild upon me. He then told me that he
had left a Letter at Col. Crafts together with the papers which belonged to me but comeing
unexpectedly he forgot to take them. He returnd in a day or two from Hingham and immediately
set of for the Army since which I have neither heard of him or his papers, for upon applieing
for them, I received for answer that there was not any thing left for me, if there had have
been, the earliest opportunity would have been taken to have forwarded it. I have stated
facts. You know this Gentleman much better than I do, so I shall not comment. After he had
informd me with regard to the Bill he drew, I inquired what had been done with regard to the
passage. To this he replied that no agreement had been made with Capt. Hill respecting C——s,
but that the other passengers paid 25 Guineys. Supposeing that they would not make the like
demand for the passage of a child, I wrote to Capt. Hill desireing to know what I was indebted
to him, but I heard not a word from him untill some time this Month I received a Letter a
coppy of which I inclose together with my unkles Letter, my reply to Hill and his answer 2 . Upon my unkles hearing what the other passengers
gave, he said it was an unreasonable demand, and that advantage was taken of the situation of
the passengers. He went to the Agent and then to Capt. Hill, but to no purpose, as you see by
the inclosed. Hill says, they were a month in passing from Corunna to Bilboa and that they
then lived at the expence of his owners, that the other passengers agreed to give it, 3 and that he will not take less. I think you would
not advise me to enter into an altercation with him which would give me much trouble, and very
little if any relief. You see by the inclosed that I requested him to take Bills and by his
reply that he wanted a discount of 15 per cent. I sent him word that I would draw Bills, but
that I would not discount. He said if he had the money he could Buy Bills at 20 per cent
discount, and he would not take them at a [ word omitted ] less than he had
offerd. I went to Town to see if I could not do better, I tried one and then an other. Some
had no money, others did not want Bills. At last a cousin of mine in whose favour it is
probable I must draw the Bills, offerd to pay the
money for me, and take the Bills at 10 per cent discount, if I could not do better. I might
try and if I could dispose of them to better advantage he should be content, he accordingly
paid the money, and I am still trying to get them accepted, but cannot yet effect it. I could
pay the Money myself but I must then relinquish the object I have in view, of purchaseing an
original Right in the State of Virmont and I have brought that matter so near a close that I
think you would not advise me to do it. I expect the deeds in a week or two for 16 hundred and
20 acres of Land when I must pay the money. As it is in the Neighbourhood of some of our
Friends who are purchasers, and I have set my Heart upon it, I am loth to relinquish it. The
Town is called Salem, laid out in lots of 300 & 30 acres, no one person permitted to own
more than one Lot in the same township, but you may purchase in the Names of yourself and
children. I have engaged one for my best Friend and each of our children. The 5 lots will
amount to 200 Dollors. At the expiration of 5 years there is a House to be built of 18 feet
square and a family setled, or 5 acres of Land cleared upon each Lot. No taxes to be paid
untill the expiration of 5 years. I shall soon be able to be more particular. Every person of
whom I have inquired agree, that it is a fine Country, and will daily become more and more
valuable. This Town is situated upon two navigable Rivers. There internal affairs are in a
good way, and they are now sending delegates to congress. If you approve of what I have done,
and should like to purchase further I shall have more opportunities. 4 Remittances in Goods, tho they will only double the sterling cost, are
preferable to Bills in which I am under a necessity of becomeing a looser. I told you before
that I had very seldom met with any person who either considerd my situation or yours, any
other than to make a proffit if they could. Our Brother C——h would help me if it was in his
power, and is every ready and willing to do for me what ever he can. About six months ago I
placed a hundred pounds Sterling in the hands of a Friend but I am loth to break upon it, as I
know it to be in good hands and promised not to call for it without giving them 3 months
warning.

I have endeavourd to make the best of what ever remittances you have made me. The necessary
repair of Buildings, the Anual Call for 3 years Men, and the very large taxes which are laid
upon me oblige me to the strickest frugality. I cannot but think I am hardly delt by, being
rated in to 20 shillings as much as Mr. Alleyne of this Town, who has 3 polls, and I none. He
estimates his place at 3000 sterling, whilst I believe you would take half the money for
yours, but he cannot find a purchaser for his. The rage
for purchaseing land ceased with the paper currency, and the taxes are felt severely enough. I
complain but without redress.

With regard to remittances calicos answer well especially chocolate ground, as they are
calld Blew ground or Green ground. They should be coulourd stripes or flowers; ribbons are
still more profitable gauze tape fine threads [Menting?] 5 hankerchiefs Bandano hankerchiefs coulourd tamies or
Calimincos, black serge denim Bindings either shoe or Quality. 6 The House of Sigourney Bromfield &c. best know what will answer
here. I close this Letter being wholy upon Domestick Matters with assureances of the
affectionate regard of your

Portia