Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, April 22, 1801

Quincy April 22 1801—

my dear Thomas

I have read Your Brothers Letters, with much pleasure; that part of
them; in which he so dutifully, affectionatly, and generously tenders all his property
for the use of his parents, affected both your Father and me most tenderly; thank God,
we have not any occasion for it; our desires are moderate, our oeconomy strickt, our
income, tho moderate, will furnish us with all the necessaries, and many of the comforts
of Life; and if it bears not any proportion to 40 years of Labour, hazard and fatigue,
of risk of Life; and character—who is there to accuse? we shall go down to our Graves,
certainly not in debt to the public; I hope you will publish that part of , Start deletion, his , End, your Brothers Letter which accuses his Country
men, of a sordid Spirit of gain; and an Infamous spirit of party.— of a deficiency of
taste, for the fine arts, and literature, in a degree unworthy of a people who are so
apt to be vain of their acquirements, and boast themselves, “as the freest and most
enlightned” people upon the Globe; 1 This
State have given an honorable Majority to Gov r Strong, the
votes are near 5000 Majority—so that Jacobinism has not triumphd as was designed; in
every instance in this State; tho it has shown it self
too powerfull in many instances— I See the little General has been Spouting in NYork,
but notwithstanding his proffers; he will mar the cause he wishes to defend, in vain may
he strive to tread back the path he has wandered from; he and his associates have
merritted all they feel and all they fear; the changes which have taken place create
murmers but dumbness itself reigns upon the past, and one would imagine the last four
years of the administration annihilated, the writers who proclaim daily the wisdom of
Washington’s, scarcly deign to notice that he had a successor— at a late federal feast
in N York, where the memory of Washington is celebrated and Jay justly toasted, Hamilton
is Eulogized, whist Adams is passed by in total neglect. 2

I Mention this as one proof amongst a thousand, which daily occur,
to show the unjust spirit of party, and the determination that a President shall be
Subject to their controul, or be sacrificed by them, and this is, as evident a struggle
for power in the federilist, as can be manifested by their opponents— I feel thankfull
that Your Father bears, and sees all these things with a total indifference towards
them; that he is not embitterd by them, but Views them with Calmness, pitty and
compassion— there is no temper of mind which I wish to strive harder against, than a
sour discontented complaining disposition; if Benifits have been rendered, to which
those are insensible who have received them; are we not all more or less Guilty of the
same offence; against that Being who impartially makes the Rain to desend, and the Sun
to shine upon the Evil, and unthankfull, as well as upon the most gratefull and upright
of his creatures? 3

You will observe by an Extract of some late dispatches from mr
King, how much disposed Great Britain is to preserve a harmony and civility towards the
United States— 4 Would this have been the
case, if we had not made a convention with France? Yet no man asks this Question. the
writers in Ben’s paper were no longer than last week, calling it a disgracefull
Humiliation, and abuseing Jefferson for ordering the Bearceau to be given up.— the feds
injure their own cause, when they complain of just and honest measures. 5

my dear Thomas I have a word to say to you, if upon any exigency
you have occasion for a little money 50, or a hundred dollars, let me know. I have a
little fund from which I can draw it, and You shall repay it me again when you are able
So do not feel yourself embarressed at requesting it— I wish you was Settled in the
County of Worster, there is said to be a good opening now Lincoln, provided for. Strong a judge & Spraige dead—but I must leave you to your own
judgement— 6 I have found here a pr of
Your black Silk Stockings which You said You missd— I suppose they were brought here
last summer— Let me know when the Coachee is Shipt. I see dagget is up for Philadelphia;
he can take it I Suppose if not already sent; I want it. 7 Your sister inquires after You and Says she
hears nothing from You; the Boys are not yet returnd but are to come in May—

we have had one of the sourest coldest Springs I have known for
many years, the trees Scarcly show a leaf and the ground is brown; they call it
Jeffersonian Weather here he may produce warmth enough for them: before the end of the
year however

a kind remembrance to all inquiring Friends / affectionatly Your
Mother

A Adams