Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, December 3, 1803

Quincy December 3 d 1803

my Dear son

I did not expect a very frequent correspondence with you when You
left me; however interested we each of us feel in the happiness and prosperity of our
Country, there is little hope that observation, upon the measures pursued, or anxiety
for the event of them: would alter or amend them: The Group Which compose the National
Counsels is certainly Such an one, as has not heretofore been collected together. they
may truly be call’d Birds of a feather; our own papers do not give us the debates. we
are indebted to the National Intelligencer for all we know. there are many reasons why I
neither ask or expect from Your pen any political observations— I am always satisfied
with your Vote because I know that it will proceed from a Sense of what you consider
Right, and proper; divested of Party Spirit.—

I received a Letter from You in which you mention Your Brothers
determination to come to Quincy 1 His
Books have already arrived. as far as depends upon me, he will be left to follow the
bent of his own inclinations; I know it must have cost him many Struggle to bring his
mind to quit a place where he hoped to have obtaind an independance, and resided for
Life.

We are all in Health, cold excepted— We have had a very pleasent
fall; Mrs Adams with her Daughter arrived here from NYork about three weeks since, &
will spend the Winter with us.

Remember me to Mrs Adams and Family. / affectionatly Your
Mother

A Adams—