Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, July 30, 1799

Quincy July 30 1799—

my Dear son

Mr Houghten, an acquaintance of your Brother Thomas, call’d upon me
last Evening, with the kind offer of taking Letters to you. I readily Embrace the
opportunity, as it gives me the pleasure of sending you a Number of News papers, and two
orations, neither of which stand in need of any Eulogy from me; they will proclaim their
own Worth; and the public are not insensible to their merit. two thousand of Mr Pains
were subscribed for in Boston 1

Since I wrote you last, I have had the pleasure of receiving from
you a Letter dated March 16th No 43— The sentiment I know were all your own, but being
coppied in an other Hand, I was deprived of some of those agreable feelings, which the
sight of your Hand writing always communicates to me. It was like the sensation which my
Dear Louissa complaind of, when I call’d her Mrs Adams instead of my daughter, without
however any diminuation of affection, and which you may assure her, I will not again
repeat. upon the Evening of Commencment day your Father returnd to Quincy, and brought
me your favor of May 17 th No 44— 2 I have sent the Letter to Thomas; but think I am
right as to date— I rejoice to learn by it, that you were well, but Grieve at the
repeated misfortune of my daughter, least it should essentially injure her
Constitution—

we have heitherto had a Charming Summer, and my own Health is
growing firmer—which is a pleasing circumstance, as the season is approaching, when I was last year a great sufferer. Boston N york, and I may add
Philadelphia, are at present Healthy, tho a few instances of the fever have occured in
the latter. I may also add, that Peace is in our borders, and plenty in our habitations.
the stupid spirit of Insurrection which so blindly led the ignorant people of
Northhampton, was soon quelld, by the appearence of some troops; and the energy of
Government their leader Fries, was taken, and about a dozen more who opposed the
Marshall in the Execution of the Laws. the Jury were unanimous with respect to Fries,
but his counsel have contrived to obtain a new trial for him, as they proved, that one
of the Jury had exprest an opinion respecting his guilt, previous to trial. the rest of
the insurgents were convicted, and penalties agreable to the Laws of Pensilvana adjudged
them— all has since been tranquill 3 I
presume upon your Brothers writing you a more full detail but the whole was but a small
affair, in comparison of the western Rebellion. let Britans and French Men look at Home
what is a few ignorant Men in one single Town rising in opposition to Government, to
Ireland? be sure it ought not to be sufferd in the Green Tree, least the dry ones should
kindle into Flames—

our Infant Navy, and our wooden walls, are the popular toast of the
day; they are the objects which the President has most nearly at Heart: he may really be
calld the Father of them— 4 our Countrymen
appear to be daily more & more imprest with their importance; in building up the
Glory, and preserving and supporting the honour and safety of the Country. the sailors
prefer engageing on Board our ships of War, to the Merchant service, tho the pay of the
latter is 4 dollars higher pr month 5

The frigate Constitution saild from Boston last week commanded by
capt Talbot, a brave active officer, well known to the British last war, for some of the
boldest, and most daring exploits, performed against them, during the War— the Boston a
New frigate of 30 Guns saild a day after her, commanded by capt Little. on board of
these vessels are several Young Gentlemen as midshipmen who this year graduated at
Harverd college. you can scarcly form an Idea of the ardour for Naval service which has
taken possession of our Countrymen— My good wishes attend them with hopes, that their
success may be equal to their zeal. 6

I have the pleasure to inform you that your Books have all arrived
safe, and are lodgd in the House and Room of your Nativity— they are all in good order
and will remain, where they are, in safety. The trunk containing your shirts, made and
unmade, with a peice of Linnen belonging to you; and a peice of Broad
Cloth, with several articles of wearing apparel are here in my care as are two peices of
Linnen, Markd with Whitcombs Name together with some Cloathing:— The Peice of Linnen of
yours which is unmade, I will take if you please and pay to your Brother the value, if
you have the Bill of it, and will send it him; otherways it will remain to your order
with the rest of the things— your Brother has gone to Germantown during the summer
Months— every Body fears to remain in the City, from past experience— we heard last
Evening from him— I presume he wrote his sister an account of his visit to Maryland,
with which he was much delighted.

You diverted me with the extract from de Leincourts Journals. there
is so much truth in what he writes that I can forgive him his errors— I well remember
the attitude of surprize, and the silent astonishment in which he appeard, upon his
first visit Here— I could as I thought then, trace his reflections— Many of the Great
and important services, for a long course of years, which the owner had Renderd his
Country, were well known to the duke, and his reflections were, “What would have been
the Reward of such services under a Monarchy?” yet I can with truth assure him, that I
delight more in this habitation, humble as it appeard to him, and as in reality it is,
the abode of innocence and peace, than all the directorial Palaces of the Despots of
France can yeald, enveloped as they must be, with the Curses, and Imprecations, of the
devoted wretches from whom they are wringing the last livre.—

we cannot but rejoice that the French Nation, are many of them,
receiving the measure which they have meeted to others— we trace the Horrors of the
Revolution in every foot step—but who of us will Live to see the winding up of the
drama, or the expansion of the healing wings of Peace, is known only to that Being, who
Rides upon the Whirlwind and directs the storm—

our Friends and connection here are well we have not had any Family
Breaches Since the death of our venerable Aunt Thaxter. some have been added to our
Numbers— William Cranch has a daughter, Mrs Norten an other son, born a day or two after
your Brothers return, and named for him. Mrs Lucy Greenleaf has also a son— 7 I have not heard for more than a month from your
sister smith, but she was well. from N york I do not hear so often as from Berlin— would
to heaven I could hear good tidings—but alass—I will not distress you—every Heart knows
its own bitterness—

I have great cause for rejoicing that your Father enjoys so good a
state of Health, notwithstanding the weight of Buisness, and perplexity which frequently
attends it. he continues firm as a Rock—tho the Waves sometimes beat, and the Billows
Roar

My Love to my dear daughter from Her and your affectionate
Mother

Abigail Adams—