Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, July 16, 1797

Philadelphia July 16 1797

My dear son Thomas,

Tis expectation that make a Blessing sweet, says the poet. 1 how sincerely sweet would it be to me to
fold my dear Thomas to my Maternal Bosom in his own Native Land. I hope and wish, wish
& hope that the Day may not be far distant.—

This Day, the 14 of July I received by way of N york your kind
Letter of April 7 th , more than 3 months Since it was
written, from your Brother no one of a later date than the 3 of April has arrived. 2 I should suppose that your Brother was
kept regularly informd of the various transactions of our Government. I regreet that
there is reason of complaint, particuliarly as he is allowd on all hands to be one of
the most industerous, able, and accurate ministers abroad.

I have sent him some News papers and pamphlets. I could fill a volm
if I thought my self at Liberty to enter into the details of politicks, that our Country
is in danger, and perils, as saint Paul was, in Perils by sea in Perils by Land and in
Perils from false Breathern is a melancholy truth. 3 However Foreign Nations may deceive themselves
by supposeing that the people are opposed to the Government, if affairs are brought to a
crisis, they will find the spirit of America will not easily bend to a foreign yoke, and
that the Faction who so loudly clamour, are a combination of Foreigners, joined with some unprincipled Americans, but by no means,
the Body of America.

I shall not make any strictures upon the conduct of the Members of
the last session of Congress. you will see by the various papers which I have cull’d,
that these are the same parties, equally voilent, in existance now, as were under the
former Administration. I hope however that the Government will stand the various shocks
to which it is daily subject. we cannot expect to escape wholy when So many great and
powerfull Nations are rending to peices

Mr Munroe visited here, so did Mrs Munroe. I returnd her visit. she
told me she saw you that you was very well & very lively— 4 you will see that an entertainment was made for
him, about 40 persons only attended. Congress were sitting. some of the voilents were
there, and the vice President. the Man of the people was
toasted.! 5

Your Friends desire to be rememberd to you amongst the Number was
the pretty miss wescot, who visited me

I have sustaind the weather tolerably untill this week— I find I
must quit the city.

adieu my dear son / God send you a safe passage to your Native land
prays your affectionate / Mother

A Adams