Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, January 20, 1798

Philadelphia Jan ry 20 1798

my dear sister

I do not know whether there is any getting over the Rivers. the
Eastern Mail due yesterday is not arrived. the Ice has been broken up for two or three
days past mr B Beals who has been here more than a week, talkd of leaving the city
yesterday. I have given him a little matter addrest to Cousin Betsy. it is a small Box
of the size of a little plate. in it you will find a shawl handkerchief which is for
you, and tho almost the only covering worn by our Ladies here, in the Winter, you will
think it more proper for April or May. my Sattin fur Cloak is almost singular.

I wrote to mrs Black yesterday and shall certainly be very
attentive to the Child. it grows finely 1

we had some snow at the same time you had, but a much less
quantity. we have had some very fine Weather this Month, and it still continues. I wish
our political Horizen look as bright as our Natural one does, but we have a dark
prospect. I am at a loss to know how the people who were formerly so much alive to the
usurpation of one Nation can crouch so tamely to a much more dangerous and dareing one,
to one which aims not only at our independance and libety but a total annihilation of
the Christian Religion—whose Laws, all which they have, are those of Draco, who are
Robbers murderers scoffers, backbiters. in short no crime, however black or Horrid to
which they have not become familiar. America must be punished, punished for having
amongst her legislatures men who Sanction these
crimes, who justify France in all her measures, and who would rejoice to see fire sword
and massacre carried into the Island of Great Britain untill she became as misirable, as
France is wretched.

O My Native state, wash ye, make yourselves clean from these
abominations. 2 you are Guilty of
sending three such Men, V——m, F——n s——er not a single state but what has Some Conneticut
excepted—tho many of them would not go all lengths. Virgina has but two Federilists,
North Carolina but one. 3 can we expect
such measures to be adopted as the safety and security of the Country require? every Man
who sees the danger, may toil & toil, like Syssiphass, (I believe the Name is
misspelt) the weight recoils. we have Letters from mr Murry a few lines from, mr
Marshall to him informs him: that the envoys were not received, and he did not believe
they would be they dare not write, knowing that every word would be inspected. they have
not been permitted to hold any society or converse with any citizen. in short they have
been in a Mere Bastile. We are in daily expectation of their return— 4

I expected from what you last wrote to hear of Abdes death. Pheby
will be surrounded as long as there is any thing to eat or drink, and I suppose she will
think very hard to be obliged to alter her mode of living, but tho I am willing to
assist towards her mantanance, I do not like to Support all she may keep with her—and
her whole income would not find her wood. untill spring it would be best she should
remain where she is. I would have mr Porter let her have a Bushel of corn. the money I
sent, you will lay out for wood or otherways as you think best. it would not do for me
to order her any more wood but, I would buy for her. that is an article she must have.
pray order her some when she wants and I will pay for it. the negro Woman who lives with
her should be obliged to find some; for she pays no rent. you will be so good as to let
me know how she is.

Mrs smith is still at East Chester, waiting & expecting!— I
have just had a line from sister Peabody of Jan’ ry 5th all
well— 5

I could very easily forgive mr Whitney, and should still like him
for our minister. I am sorry he was not better advised. I suppose mr Wibird will not
think of removeing now there is a female in the House. I do not know but mr Wibird
himself may go and do likewise. Remember me affectionatly to all our dear Friends ever
your affectionate sister

Abigail Adams—