Abigail Adams to William Smith, February 28, 1798

Philadelphia Feb ry 28 1798

my Dear Sir

We now have the appearence of some fine weather our Rivers are
open, but our Roads are all like what we experienced when we came through the Jersis in
April last. I begin to look towards my Native state with a wish to be early there, which
I fear will not be seconded by Congress, for tho many of them are distresst at the
manner this session has heitherto been wasted, yet they cannot controul those who wish
to make long speeches, and upon subjects which have been canvassed and upon which
nothing new; which is not absurd can be offerd. the shamefull buisness respecting Lyon
ought not to have occupied as many hours, as it did days—but not content with performing
so little, they are Spinning a mere Penolipean Webb not with such pure motives as
actuated that Virtuous Lady, for she destroyd the works of the day, by night to preserve
her honour and her integrity. 1 Congress
have already repeald a Law respecting foreign coins which they past last sessions, and
now are repealing the stamp act, and that before any experiment is made to see what
might be the result, 2 at a time too, when
Revenue is wanted for to defend the southern states against the Indians, to form new
treaties to purchase their lands. Money is also calld for to put the forts &
garisons in repair by Charlstown s C. Money is calld for to assist in compleating the Solitary buildings in the Federal
city. 3 commerce is distrest, unable to
yeald the Revenue which has heretofore been so productive yet every measure which can
aid or protect that, is bellowd against as a declaration of War—and mr Giles declares
that he would if he could, destroy every tax throughout the united states. this is the
method by which he would pay his adoration to the sovereign People— our Envoys have been
near six months in Paris, but to this hour not a line has been received from them, not
with standing the bold assertion of Plain truth in the Chronical, and I challenge him
for his proof. I have not a doubt that their dispatches have been intercepted if any
have been sent, or that they are so situated that they cannot communicate in either case
it is very dissagreable—

I do not see by your papers that you have followd the lead of the Metropolis of the united states, and celebrated the
Birthday of a truly Great and Good Private citizen —or so
far fortogtton what belongs to the Character of the Head of your Nation, as to call upon
him to attend the Birth Night of Gen Washington. In what light would such a step be
looked upon by foreign Nations? the President the chief Majestrate of an independant
Nation, placing himself in a secondary Character, celebrating Birth Nights, not of a
President, but a Private citizen? yet these wise judicious people cannot find out the
Reason why the President declined to accept their invitation. some of their Masters of
the Ceremonies were polite enough to publish in Baches paper the inclosed Scrap the
morning of the Ball, but they defeated their own plans. 4 as soon as it was known, it went through the
city like an Electrical shock—and the Ball was meager enough, so much so, that tho it
was by subscription I have heard but 15 Ladies were present. not a lisp of it has
appeard in one of their News papers. there were a number of persons who were not
subscribers who went and I suppose came under Baches denomination of shop keepers— if
the Chronical should undertake to publish any thing upon the subject, I hope some
persons will represent it in its true light. it most assuredly was not any want of
Respect and Regard to Gen ll Washington he himself would have
done the same in like circumstances Witness his refusal to dine with Gov Handcok, after
the dinner had been purposely prepared and the company invited he would not subject the
Character of the chief Head of the Government to state soverignty 5

what I write to you is in confidence that I shall not be brought as
an Authority. one thing I think I ought to say, I have heard that there is a design to shift this matter off upon the Vice President, but in Justice to
him, he had no hand in it further than to subscribe to it, being told that the President
would certainly attend. when he found that he would not go, he refused also, this I am sure of so that let no more be laid upon him than
he deserves. 6 I wish he always conducted
with as much propriety— the Philadelphians drew in the N yorkers in order to keep them
in Countanance, and that after the President had refused. adieu my paper say I must only
add / yours &c

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