John Adams to Abigail Adams, October 21, 1799

Trenton October 21. 1799

My dearest Friend

I have no line from you, Since the 13 th at Brookfield. There has been So much rainy
Weather as to have made travelling impracticable for you, some part of the
time, and the roads disagreable at all times.— If your health fails not,
Patience will bear the rest.

We went to the Presbyterian Church Yesterday and heard
M r Grant a young calvinistical Presbyterian
of a good style and fair hopes. Armstrong is Sick confined with the
Rheumatism as usual. Hunter and his Wife M rs Rush’s sister were at Church, I know not why, as his Church is but 4 miles
off, a Parish in this town. 1

If this Day or Tomorrow does not bring me news of you, I
shall begin to be in the horrors. If the Mumps are not uncommonly long lived
on Brislers Children, he will be along immediately. it is high time.— Untill
I turned over I knew not that the Sheet was mutilated.— 2 But still it will answer my End.
The People with you are all Lazy. Louisa is as lazy as a Nun.— M r Otis is not much better. If you had People of
ordinary Alacrity about you, some One might write to me or William every
day. You are generally as industrious as you ought to be.

It is very fortunate however that you have M r Otis in Company. that family, besides his protecting
care, will render the Journey much less tedious. You can have no Ennui with
the little folks and the great folk about you.

Not one Word have you or any one else, Said to me of my
farm Since I left it.— Not one hint of my Buildings Walls, Harvest Cyder or
Manure &c &c &c.

I want to know how the fence against M r Black went on—how the Buildings proceeded and
whether the Hill was Spread. I must have an Agricultural Correspondent.

Mean time / I am, most affectionately / yr s

J. A