Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, February 27, 1800

Philadelphia Feb ry 27 th [ 1800 ]

my dear sister

I have not written to you since I received your Letter
giving me an account of the ordination, the fatigues of which I should have
been glad to have shared with you, and I could not but blame myself, that I
did not write to request mrs Porter to have opend our House, and Stables, and to have accomodated as
Many persons as they could; 1 it is now happily over and I congratulate the Town in having made so wise;
and as I think, judicious a choice; the President frequently expresses his
Satisfaction that we are one more a Setled people not as for a long time
past, sheep without a sheapard. I hope we shall live in union and harmony.
the next thing will be the Marriage of mr Whitney I presume. if it were
proper to wish a Gentlemans happiness deferd, I Should like to be at Quincy
when the Lady is introduced as our Madam—

for the last fortnight we have had a delightfull weather
through the whole of it, clear Sun Shine, cold enough to be pleasent without
being urksome— the Snow all melted the Rivers open and the weeping willow,
which is a great ornament to this city, putting on its first appearence of
vegation, a yellow aspect, which changes to a beautifull Green in a few
week’s and is the first Harbinger of that Season, in which all nature is
renovated.— this appearence as I ride out, brings to my view the few weeks
longer which I have to remain here, and then I shall bid—very probably—a
final adieu to this city. there is Something always Melancholy, in the Idea
of leaving a place for the last time it is like burying a Friend. I could
have wished that the period of the first Election might have closed in this
city; it is a very unpleasent thing to break up all the establishments, and
remove to a place so little at present, and probably for years to come, so
ill calculated for the residence of such a Body as Congress—the houses which
are built as so distant, the streets so miry and the markets so ill
Supplied—

In my last I wrote You that mr Bayard the present Clerk
of the Court intended resigning this Session—but there is a revision of the
judiciary System contemplated. it will soon be reported to the House. 2 if it should pass, many
alterations will take place— this I believe was the reason of mr Bayards
determining not to resign at present. You will see judge Cushing Soon, if
not before this reaches You and he will inform you more than I can— the
judge & mrs cushing left here near a fortnight ago, and have had fine
weather ever since. I trust they have improved it—

On Saturday the 22d I went to hear Major Jackson deliver
his oration. it was a very handsome one, and much better deliverd than I had
any Idea he could perform— it is not yet printed, but when it is, I think it
will not suffer by any comparison with any I have yet Seen. 3 two Months have chiefly been
appropriated to funeral honours to the Memory of Gen’ ll Washington. I know not that in any modern Time’s, either Kings or
Princess have received equal honors. History does not record any so
deserving or So meritorious , Start deletion, of , End,

Mrs Smith I expect will leave me in a week or ten days— I
expect a visit from mrs Johnson & her Son, the middle of next Month. Mrs
Black I hope has received a Letter I wrote to her inclosing the certificate
of Ann Halls baptism I fear she thought me unmindfull of it, but I was not.
it was oweing to the Sickness of Dr Green that I could not sooner obtain it—
my Letter must have reachd her about the same time that a renewal of her
request Did me— 4

How are all our Neighbours and Friends? I have inquired
once or twice concerning Pheby— I hope she is comfortable in her marriage
and well Provided for— We all send Love respect &c to all our
Friends—

I want to know how your cold is, and whether mr Cranch’s
is better I have great cause for thankfullness. I know not when I have past
a winter with so little sickness, or a Feb ry without being confined upon the Birthday of Gen’ ll Washington. three years ago, I was well enough upon that day to
celebrate it in Boston, but it has generally been a month of sickness to
me— 5 except the loss of
sleep, which I have several times experienced, I have had more Health than
for many Years— I hope it may be continued to me, for without Health, Life
has few enjoyments

adieu my dear sister. I would desire You to remember me
to Miss Gannet, with whose increasing years, I hope and trust wisdom
Prudence and every female virtue will grow and increase where much is given,
much is required. this should impress her mind and influence her conduct.
She will I trust receive this as the admonition of a Friend. let her think
what she owes to one of the kindest & tenderest of Parents—and she can
never wander from the path of Rectitude 6

once more I bid you an adieu / assureing you of the Love
and / affection of

A Adams