Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, October 31, 1787

Boston Octob r. 31. 1787

Dear Cous n.

In my last Letter to M r. Adams I inform’d Him of the Death
of our beloved Uncle Smith— 1 had we
enjoyed his Life much longer, it would have been greatly desireable—but Heaven was kind
in continuing that rich Blessing for so long a Time we have the utmost Assurance that He
is happy tho’ We have lost one Source of our temporal Felicity— His Virtues may we
imitate and with him share in a better World the Rewards of good & faithful
Servants—

I am told Capt. Barnard is to sail to Day, which obliges me to omit many Things, not
expecting his Departure for some Days—

as I take it for granted, that you will return in the Spring, it will be necessary to
conduct your affairs upon that Expectation— I wish you therefore to give me as early and
particular Information relative to the Repairs of Borlands Place & any other Matters
as your Distance will permit and that you think necessary to be done—

M r. Teal who is on your Farm at Medford is an excellent
Tenant— 2 He informs me that the Farm
House is scarcely tenantable, that it is the opinion of those who have viewed it, that
it will be best to rebuild it.— I propose to examine it—but would wish for your
Directions whether to rebuild in case it should be found necessary—the Cost will be
from, £120 to 130—

I expect to see & consult M r Shaw this Week—he will
exchange next Sabbath with M r Norton our late ordaind
Minister— M r Shaw & his Wife attended the ordination of
M r. Ware at Hingham the Week past & are now on a Visit
to his Father—

In one of your Letters, you enquire, whether it would not be best to dispose of your
House in Bost n I think not—as but very few Repairs will be
required for a long Time to come—at present it yields a clearer Income than all your
Lands & Estate in Braintree—

The Gen l Court is now sitting— a Resolve has passed for
calling a Convention in this Commonwealth to take into consideration the form of a
Constitution of Government for the United States &c 3 I cannot make any Conjecture what will be the
Issue It has warm Advocates for and warm Enemies against it— M r. John spent the last Evening at my lodgings and is well— He will be at
Cambridge to day & attend the Supreme Court some part of their Sitting— Charles
& Thomas are well—return to Cambridge to Day from the fall Vacation— present my
affectionate Regards to M r Adams and accept of my best
Wishes for your Health & Happiness.

Yours—

Cotton Tufts