Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, February 1, 1798

Philadelphia [ 1 ] Feb ry 1798 1

my dear sister

your kind Letter of Jan’ ry 14 th I received last week. 2 I Shall not be dissatisfied with mr Whitney if
the people are disposed to give him a call, but far otherways, I shall rejoice in the
prospect of having so Virtuous and sensible a Gentleman Setled with us, to whom I doubt
not, years will teach more knowledge of the world

I can understand you well tho you do not speak plain. I know you
think that there may be allowd a greater latitude of thought and action at the Bar than
in the pulpit. I allow it, and yet each Character be perfectly honourable &
virtuous.—

You ask me, what has Cox done that he is dismist. I answer a Man of
his Character ought not to have been employd where he was. at the Time the British were
in , Start deletion, possesion , End, this State, mr Cox then a Young Man,
went from this city and joind them, and as a Guide led them into this city with a
chaplet of ever Greens round his Head; when this Government was about to be establisht,
he turnd about, and possessing some talants became a warm advocate for the Federal
Government. he possess specious talants. he got col Hamilton to appoint him first Clerk
in His office whilst he was secretary of the treasury. in this office he continued till
it is said Hamilton found him very troublesome to him, and not wanting to have him an
Enemy, he contrived to get the office of commissoner of the Revenue created, and Cox
appointed to it. when Hamilton resignd, Cox expected to be appointed in his Room but
finding mr Wolcot prefered befor him, he was much mortified, and at the late Election
for President, he became a Writer in the papers and in Pamphlets against the
administration of washington and a Partizen for Jefferson, but no sooner was the
Election determined, than Sycophant like he was worshiping the rising sun outwardly
whilst secretly he was opposing and thwarting every measure recommended by the President
for the defence of the , Start deletion, Government , End, Country. but this
was not all, he was constantly opposing and obstructing the secretary of the Treasury in
his department, a Man of no sincerity of views or conduct, a Changling as the Wind
blow’d a Jacobin in Heart. 3 You will see
by the papers I send you the Debate continued by Congress for 15 days and yet
undetermined, upon the foreign intercourse Bill. those debates will be a clue to unfold
to you the full system of the Minority, which is to usurp the Executive Authority into
their own Hands. 4 You will see much Said
about the Patronage of the President and his determination to appoint none to office as
they say, who do not think exactly with him. this is not true in its full extent. Lamb
the collector was not dismist from office, for his Jacobin sentiments, but for his
Peculation. Jarvis for Peculation. 5 Cox
for opposing the Government in its opperations. the P—— has said and he still says, he
will appoint to office merrit Virtue & Talents, and when Jacobins possess these,
they will stand a chance, but it will ever be an additional recommendation that they are
Friends to order and Government. President Washington had reason to Rue the Day that he
departed from this Rule, but at the commencement of the Government, when parties were
not so high, and the Country not in Danger from foreign factions; it was thought it would tend to cement the government, but the
Ethiopen could not Change his skin, and the spots of the Leopard have been constantly
visible, tho sometimes shaded. I cannot think Virgina declamation will make many
converts for how stupid would that man be thought in private Life who should put the
care and oversight of his affairs into the Hands of such persons as he knew would
counteract all his instruction and destroy all his property?

Vague and contradictory accounts are in circulation respecting our
Envoys. one thing is certain no official communication has been received from them, from
whence I judge they do not think it safe to make any. Bache is in tribulation. he
publishd last saturday an attack upon the secretary of State for receiving as he said 5
dollors for a pasport which should have been deliverd Gratis. one dr Reynolds appears to
have been at the bottom of the buisness. an Irish scape Gallous who fled here from the
justice of his country charged as he was with treason against it, and a reward of a
hundred Guineys was offerd for him by the British Government. a person wholy unknown to
the secretary but one of Baches slanderers and employd by him as it is said to write
libels— I hope the Rascals will be persued, to the extent of the Law— 6

It is time to leave politicks for my paper is already full

We had a very heavy storm last week and it looks more like winter
now than since I have been here

Mr Greenleaf has been sick, but I believe he is quite recoverd. I
hear of him frequently and I am told that no comfort or convenience is wanting but that
of Liberty, that unfortunately there is but too much company, for I have been Credibly
informd that as many as two Hundred Heads of Families and persons formerly in good
circumstances are now in confinement. mr Greenleaf expects soon to be liberated by a Law
of this state which is now before the Legislature 7

I had Letters from mrs smith last week. 8 the col was not returnd, nor do I much believe
that he will. I believe I mentiond to you to get sister smith to knit me some stockings,
but I wholy forget whether I sent any money either to buy cotton or pay her.

I wish you would mention to mrs Black to make a cap for the Baby
and inclose it to me. it will have a good Effect I know in fixing in the mind of the
Nurse a Certainty that it has Relations who attend to it. I inquired of the Nurse, if it
was well provided fir she said it had sufficient for the present, and she always brings
it clean and well enough drest—

I know it will give you pleasure to learn that mr & Mrs Adams
had arrived safe at Hamburgh in october & left it for Berlin on the 2 d of Nov’ br we learn this from mr
Murry by a Letter of Nov br 7 th— 9 We have not received any
letters of a later date than sep’ br— 10 we are all at present in the enjoyment of
Health. Mrs Cushing came in last Evening in the sisterly manner & past the Evening
with me. with mrs otis and her I could fancy myself at Quincy

I bear my Drawing Rooms, Sometimes crowded, better than I expected,
tho I always feel the Effects of the lights the next day— 11

My affectionate Regards to all Friends young or old from your /
sister

A Adams

P s pray let me hear from Polly. I am very uneasy about her

Just as I had written the last sentance yours of 20 th was brought, me. alass poor Polly my Heart acks for her.
I shall dread to hear again. if she wants Wine pray send from my cellar as much as she
may have need of. they cannot buy such. if she lives do get see her again I wish I
could do her any good. I really Lovd her— the post will be gone. Yours

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