Abigail Adams to Sarah Smith, December 8, 1800

Washington December 8 th 1800

My Dear Daughter

Whilst I feel as a Parent, I Sympathize with You as a
wife, hopeing that all the frailties, and offences of My Dear departed
son may be forgiven, and buried with his Mortal part

I besought the throne of grace that he might find
Mercy from his God, to the great judge of us all we must leave him,
resigning our wills to the Sovereign of the universe—

From My own thoughts and reflections I trace the
Sorrow of your Soul, and feel every pang which peirces your Heart. would
to God that I could administer to You; that comfort which [I] stand in
need of Myself—

upon Your part, you have the consolation of having
performed Your duty. no remembrance of any unkindness, has detered Your
fulfilling it, even to the last distressing Scene. may You be rewarded
by a self approving conscience; untill fatal propensities took intire
possession of this poor deluded Man: he was kind, and affectionate,
beloved by all his acquaintance; an Enemy to no one, but a favorite
where ever he went. in early Life no child was more tender and amiable;
but neither his mind, or constitution could Survive the habits he but
too fatally persued. in the midst of his days, his course is stoped, and
his years numberd. May I be enabled in silence to bow myself in Submission to my
Maker:—whose attributes are Mercy, as well as judgments.

The Children will be ever Dear to me: may they be
trained up in the way in which they should go. I will supply to them as
far as in My power, the Parent they have lost—

The President sends his Love to You, and mourns
with—as he has a long time for You—

I am with a respectfull remembrance to Your Mother
and Love to Nancy and Abbe— / my dear daughter / Your affectionate /
Mother

Abigail Adams—

Susan is well except a cold— sends her duty—