Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, September 15, 1789

Weymouth Sep r. 15. 1789.

Dear Madam—

Your Favour of the 1 st. Ins t. I
rec d the 11 st. and shall give
orders to Pratt relative to the Butter &c Not having received an Answer to Mine
respecting the Cart &c and finding no Opportunity to dispose of the Cart to
Advantage I got L t. Bates to apprize it which he sat at
£7.10.0 and had concluded to take it to my own Use if you approved of it, but as you
think it will not be best to sell—I wish to use it till the Spring & will account
with you therefore— The Mud Boat I have got to Weymouth and found that it wanted the Eye
of a Master— I do not expect that it will fetch more than £10 or £12. if sold as
Gondalos that will serve the same Purpose have been sold at that Rate—I shall not
However dispose of it without particular Directions tho I am of opinion it will be best
to sell it if any Thing near the Worth can be obtained— Adams informs me that He must
leave the House (at Boston) if the Rent is not reduced— 1 I fear I shall not be able any longer to get £40
per ann l from any Person, as Rents are exceeding low and but
little Money in Circulation As soon as may be I wish to know your Mind on this Subject
as well as with Respect to the Mode of adjusting Our Account whether it is agreable that
M rs. Cranch should audit it as heretofore— You will be so
kind as let Cousin John, know that I answerd his Draught on me as soon as I became
possessed of it being a Day or two after he left Boston— 2

I wish to know what Papers are forwarded to you from the Printers at Boston and whether
you would have all of them sent on—

The Author of the scurrilous Poem referred to in yours is well known here and it is
generally reputed and considered as the Work of a malicious & disappointed
Seeker— 3 it appears to me to be a Stab
upon the President through the Side of the Vice President and as paving the Way for an
Attack upon Him, whenever a favorable Opportunity shall present— Too many there are to
our Sorrow, that can never be contented but in Broils & Contests, Wishing to embroil
Government, and to throw our publick Affairs into Confusion, they are seeking every
Occasion to gratify their restless Spirits and to wriggle themselves into Places
favorable to their Desig[ns] But as they are generally devoid of Principle, they sooner
or later fall into the Pit which they have diggd for others—

Be pleased to remember me to M r Adams & your
Children—and accept of the best Wishes / of Your Affectionate Friend & H Ser

Cotton Tufts