Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, June 2, 1799

Quincy June 2 d 1799

My Dear son

I presume this will find you at Philadelphia, fix’d in your
Lodgings; and in possession of your office, where I wish you much of the Good things
of the world, tho purchased by toil & trouble, they may serve to enhance their
value; above all worldly Goods. I wish you Health, for destitute of that great
blessing, few others can be enjoyed.

The few Hot days which we had in May, brought upon me the
disorder & complaints from which I sufferd so severely last summer. it reduced my
strength, prostrated my spirits, and I lost my sleep, my appetite, and was ready to
give myself up—but Some exertions, and application to medicine, amongst which is a
preparation of steel powders, with Winters Bark has restored me again, and removed my
complaints; I am in as good Health at present as when you left me, far enough however
from firm.— this has been the chief reason why I have not written to you more
frequently. I received your kind Letter from Annapolis dated May 17th and was
gratified at your account of your reception, & the civility and attention with
which you have been treated. your Letter from Philadelphia of May 3 d came safe to hand, tho I was not able to acknowledg it, at
the Time. 1 the Count & Countess of
Tilly, have now become an old story, of which no one here, talks or thinks any more
than they do, of the nomination of Envoys to France, tho the late papers announce to
us, the great Love and moderation of the directory, which they are about to manifest
to us, in the most generous manner possible, by sending the Marquiss of Fayett as
minister to adjust all differences— even the capture of the insurgent, they do not
mean to resent—!! 2

Federilism is gaining ground daily, our Elections have been so,
very generally. Commerce flourishes our Navy increases, and the face of the Earth
wears a promissing aspect. Quincy looks delightfull now I assure you; yet in the midst
of our joy we have sorrow. our Worthy Govenour Sumner is considerd by his Physicians
as irrecoverable. from the nature of his disorder, an instant dissolution may be
expected; his death will be a public loss— he has however outlived Election day, which
is considerd a favorable circumstance as it respects the
public putting it out of Question, who is to be the successor for the present year. mr
Ames you will see is chosen a Counsellor to the Gov’ r 3

I find from a Letter of mrs otiss to her sister, that much
grumbling has been made; because the President did not remain in Philadelphia, or
return to it, during their good pleasure; and that his Enemies made use [“]of his
absence to his injury” this paragraph which was transcribed & sent to me I did not
think proper to communicate; for tho I dare say, both mr and mrs otis wrote out of
pure Friendship & regard, their own fears and apprehensions upon the occasion, I
knew it would be of no avail to retail the subject out; I could not learn that any
buisness sufferd. the post goes in four days, and Letters are daily answerd which come
by every post. if the Philadelphians were really affraid, that the Rebellion of their
own raising and fomenting could not be quelld without the presence of the President at
the seat of Government, why they have found themselves mistaken. Let them give
themselves a Good Govr and they will not be the focus of insurrection; the Hot Bed of
sedition. the President will never desert his station when the exegencys of the
Government require his presence, but he will not stay from his wife. tell them so, to
disprove so absurd a lie, as that he had drawn all the money from the Banks, made a
Bargain with the King of Great Britain & Run away which amongst a hundred other
lies as silly and Ridiculous were circulated amongst those stupid Germans; and which
it seems he was to stay at Philadelphia to contradict and disprove as tho Bach,
Porcupine and others, had not lied against him to his face. 4

They may all make themselves very easy, when the President thinks
it necessary for him to be at Philadelphia he will go, but not an hour before to
please friend or silence foes—that was never his object. so thank mr & Mrs otis
for their good intentions; but tell them, all the distant din, the world can keep
“Rools o’er our Grotto & but sooths our sleep” 5

William received your Letter in which you mention the situation
of your office —upon which the P——t told a story of a man
addicted to liquor, who had taken a resolution to reform— having waited a few days he
went to the Inn, smelt the Brandy, but tasted not, went out and boasted to his
companions of his firmness, and to shew them how triumphant he was, he would return
with them & take a Glass to commemorate his victory— he accordingly tasted—and was
conquerd—

I say let Thomas a lone he is old enough to judge for himself.
please God to give him health and spair his Life, prosper him in buisness—and I will
trust to his discretion as to a wife—

I have one thing to insist upon which is that you do not remain
in the city if it becomes sickly but flee before it be too late, and as you have made
your visit Southward, come to Quincy if you are driven a way

this is the advice / of your affectionate / Mother

Abigail Adams

not a line from your Brother at Berlin. I am sick to hear— I
cannot do like you, coppy my Letter so take it with all its imperfections all friend
desire to be rememberd. little Thomas grows a fine Boy he is quite handsome 6

The President went to the Launch of the Frigate Boston. He went
to Election & tomorrow he goes at the request of the Ancient & Honorable
Artilliray Company in full uniform to attend Artilliry Election. Amorys light Horse
came out as his Escort Gen ll Eliot & three others
attend as aids— So much to please our sovereign’s— 7 Judge chase has come up to Quincy to keep
sunday with us. the more I am acquainted with him, the more I esteem him— He says he
hopes it may be in his power to serve you. you will see him at the Court in
Philadelphia