Abigail Adams to William Smith, January 16, 1800

Jan ry 16th 1800
Philadelphia

my dear sir

I received Your Letter by mr sheafe together with the
small trunk safe, and render many thanks to you and Mrs smith for your kind
attention. this Morning I received Your favour of Jan ry the 9 th , with the papers inclosed
manifesting every testimony of Respect and gratefull remembrance which an
affectionate people can pay to the Memory of a Public Benefactor. 1 My Native state has never been
deficient in this Duty—for surely Gratitude is the duty of a people, as well
as of an individual, and upon no occasion has it been more judiciously
bestowed than the Present; for to quote the words which I have much admired,
“our Washingtons Character was whiter than it , Start deletion, is , End, was brilliant” yet the brilliancy of it has dazzeld all
beholders— 2 even in the
Democratic sense he deserved praise, for he was a good and Faithfull servant. I inclose to you a specimin of Virgina
democracy— it has Made much conversation here, and I presume we do not yet
hear the last of it. the youth will find that old Birds are not caught with Chaff— to
form an Idea of the respectfull decent and elegant stile of the Writer, a
small portrait may not be amiss— he is a slender person with an Infantine
face, and a childs voice. if he had not been sent from the old dominion as a Member of congress, not a
person who should see him, could possibly take him for a Lad of more than 17
or 18 teen Years of Age. he wears his Hair like a
school Boy— his whole dress is perfectly democratic & singular; but you
see, as a servant of the public, he is equal to
any Man in office— he has been usually spoken of as Little Johnny— with all this youthfull appearence, there is not a Man in congress older More undaunted when he rises to speak, or
less embarressd. he chatters away like a Magpye—and in his Zeal for
Disbanding the Army he stiled it a Mercenerary Army, an Army of Raggamuffins—and it is Said
some officers or officer insulted our young hero— in concequence tho his
Letter is not very full upon the subject, or such I presume as would be
deemed evidence in a court of Justice— this Letter was known by many of his
Party to have been written as early as monday morning. the report was
circulated through the city—and the design evident. I fully believe mr
Randolphs assertion, that he never intended it should come before congress—
the public will make their comments upon it, as the President has not
thought proper to do it— I leave it to those who do— the Lad is not without tallents. 3

your Letter of the 7th I show’d to the President. he
directed mr shaw to carry it to the Secretary of the Treasury; that if any
difficulty should arise respecting cap t Brooks
comeing from France he might have some knowledge of the buisness— 4

Mr Shaw says he is attentive to furnish you with every
publication of any concequence

with a kind remembrance / to all Friend— I am dear sir
Your affectionate Friend

Abigail Adams—