Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, February 1, 1799

Quincy Feb ry 1. 1799.

my dear son

It is with pleasure insepressible, I inform you of the safe arrival
of your Brother Thomas at N york after a passage of 46 days. My Mind was relieved from a
load of anxiety by this agreable intelligence from his own Hand. the danger from comeing
upon our Coast in the Winter Season, and the severe and frequent snow storms we have
experienced this winter kept me in a constant allarm for his safety, but thank’s to a
kind and overruling Providence which has preserved his Life, and restored him to his
Country and Friends again. often have I had cause of Gratitude, that my dear connections
have been protected in their Various Voyages; some of them made in very inclemnant
seasons and amidst the dangers of War; your Brother went on to Philadelphia immediatly
where he was most joyfully and kindly received by an affectionate Father; I relinquish
the prospect of speedily folding him to my Bosom, in the hope of his being able to
solace and entertain his Father, deprived as he is, of every other branch of his Family.
he will experience a double pleasure from his society. he wants that comfort, and relief encompassed as he is with public cares and
perplexities as well as a share of private anxiety for the Health of your Mother, which
is still feeble.

I received by your Brother your kind and affectionate Letter. 1 the regreet you express at parting with
him, is a pleasing proof of his merrit, and your affection. I wish it was thought
consistant with the publick service to call you home. a foreign Embassy is but an
honorable Excile, yet it qualifies for future usefullness; when rightly improved.

You will learn from the public papers I send you, the politicks of
the day; William Shaw has been very attentive in sending them to me since he has been in
Philadelphia. the Govenour senate and House of this state, are truly Federal there are
but 4 Jacobins in the House; Hill of Cambridge, the only one of any abilities. they make no Head with 90 or 100 Majority against them. Virgina,
alass poor Virgina, and her bantling Kentucky there conduct is despised and rejected;
But your Brother will now detail all these subjects to you with more accuracy and
precission than I can, and to him I shall consign the task, and proceed to give you Some
account of your own private affairs.

If you have received two Letters which I have written you, since my
sickness, you will learn from them, what was then in my power to communicate respecting
your affairs. 2 It became indispensable to
obtain your papers from Dr W—— a Friend was so kind as to inform me, that two Hundred
dollors were due upon your Canal shares, that the dr had been repeatedly calld upon for
payment; always promised, but had not performed, and that the shares must be sold,
unless the money was immediatly paid— I wrote to the Dr W— with as much delicacy as
possible, requesting him to transfer his power to Dr Tufts; I hinted to him that money
might be necessary upon the shares of the Canals, and that he would oblige me by sending
the papers; I heard not a word for a fortnight. I then wrote to mr smith, (who is a very
great sufferer by the dr) and stated to him the situation in which I was. he went to the
Dr and prevaild upon him to go with him to a Notiary public, and transfer, the power,
& send me the papers: I deliverd them to Dr Tufts, and paid into his Hands the 200
dollors which were required, 25 Guineys of it, together with a year and half interest
upon that sum. I took the dr receit for, being the money due to you from me; and which I
retaind that it might not be lost, as too much of your property already has been: I have
written your Brother a statement of this buisness; 3 You have I find by your Letter to me, committed all your concerns to his care, but unless he resides
here, I should think those in this state, had best remain with the Dr— I forgot to take
a list of the papers deliverd: but will get it and send you tho I have not a doubt, but
they are all you left. the Rent of the House had been all paid up, the last quarter a
few days previous to the delivery of the papers. no account or Receit accompanied them,
but a few lines informing me, that an account had been sent you. When a Man gets
embarrassed in his circumstances it seems to stiffel all moral feelings, and he permits
himself to do things, which he would have started at, if he had been thought capable of
them; the society of Arts to which the dr was secretary lose 500 dollors—Mr smith by
indorcments for him, thousands— 4

I am Grieved for him, and for his Family the stroke was so
unexpected to mrs W——h that it threw her into a fever. she has however recoverd in some
measure, tho both he & she are much depressed— your Friends here desire to be kindly
rememberd to you— I hear from your Father two or three times a week. he is well William
shaws account, of his reception of Thomas was really affecting Thomas says in a Letter
to me, “I received the cordial welcome of a Father, who approved of the conduct and
behaviour of the son who had been absent.”— 5

William shaw performs the part of private secretary to
satisfaction. he is attentive and obliging and will improve. it is a fortunate situation
for him.

your Aunt Peabody Sustaind such a shock from the loss of her dear
daughter, as her feeble Frame can scarcly sustain. Religion alone bears her Spirits
up—and to the Brighter world above she looks with a pleasing hope, of meeting the
departed spirit of her amiable daughter, who exhibited through a painfull sickness, the
Cheerfull hope, and the full assurance of a blessed immortality.

My Love to your dear Louissa may you mutually supply to each other,
every Relative and Friend, from whom you are seperated. I am grieved to learn that my
Friend Mrs Johnson does not enjoy good health She suffers from depression of spirits,
and from the pecuniary embarressments of mr J——s affairs— mr Cranch writes me that a
decision will soon take place, which he hopes will relieve them. 6 I have not received but one Letter from her for
a long time. From your sister I heard not long since she was well. 7 she has a lovely Girl, soft in her manners, mild
and affectionate as a Lamb, yet sprightly and active as a Bird
Sensible and intelligent beyond her Years—. she was with me with her Mamma during all my
sickness— the Boys are at Atkinson academy in mr Peabodys Family, are studious,
governable and promise fair— my paper is exhausted, leaving me only Room to add / your
ever affectionate

Mother