Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, September 10, 1787

London Sep br 10th [ 1787 ]

Dear sir

your obliging favours of july and August came safe to Hand. the first was brought
during my absence on an excursion into the Country. I was very happy to find by it, that
you had received your daughter safe, and that the dear Girl was contented. I never felt
so attached to a child in my Life on so short an acquaintance, tis rare to find one
possessd of so strong & lively a sensibility. I hope she will not lose her fine
spirits within the walls of a convent, to which I own I have many, perhaps false
prejudices.

Mr Appleton delivererd my Lace & gloves Safe. be so good as to let Petit know that
I am perfectly satisfied with them. Col smith has paid me the balan[ce whic]h you say
was due to me, and I take your word for it, but [I
do] not know how. the Bill which was accepted, by mr Ada[ms i]n the absence of col
Smith, I knew would become due, in our absence, and before we could receive your orders.
the money was left with Brisler our Servant, who paid it when it was presented. on our
return we found the Bill which you had drawn on mr Tessier, but upon presenting it he
refused to pay it, as he had not received any letter of advise tho it was then more than
a month from its date, but he wrote immediatly to mr Grand, and by return of the next
post, paid it. 1

with regard to your Harpsicord, Col Smith who is now returnd, will take measures to
have it Sent to you. I went once to mr Kirkmans to inquire if it was ready. his replie
was, that it should be ready in a few days, but [. . . .] 2 no orders further than to report when it was
[. . . .] 3 to write you, but he seemd
to think that he had done all [that was] required of him. 4 The Canister addrest to mr Drayton deliverd to
mr Hayward with Special directions, and he assured me he would not fail to deliver
it.

The ferment and commotions in Massachusetts has brought upon the Surface abundance of
Rubbish; but Still there is Some sterling metal in the political crusible. the vote
which was carried against an emission of paper money by a large majority in the House,
shews that they have a sense of justice: which I hope will prevail in every department
of the State. I send a few of our News papers, some of which contain Sensible
speculations. 5

To what do all the political motions tend w[hic]h are agitating France Holland and
Germany? will Liberty finally gain the assendency, or arbritary power Strike her
dead.

Is the report true that is circulated here, that mr Littlepage has a commission from
the King of Poland to his most Christian Majesty?! 6

we have not any thing from mr Jay later than 4 th of july.
there was not any congress then, or expected to be any; untill the convention rises at
Philadelphia 7

Col Smith I presume will write you all the politiks of the Courts he has visited—and I
will not detain you longer than to assure you that I am at all times / your Friend and
Humble Servant

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