John Adams to Abigail Adams, May 24, 1789

New York. May. 24. 1789

My dearest Friend

I have received your Letter of the 16 th .— I have taken a
large and handsome house, in a beautiful Situation, about two miles out of the City,
upon the North River. The Rent is less, than I must have given for a much meaner house
in Town, without any such accommodations of Stable Garden, Pasture &c

I now desire you to come on, as soon as possible, and to Send by Tirrell, or some other
Vessel, Beds, & Bedding—all the Linnen for Beds & Table,
Knives & Forks, China, Glass, Kitchen Furniture—in short all the [fur]niture of the
House in a manner. Some of the smaller looking Glasses—but the large ones, not yet.— Yet
I dont know but it would be best to bring even them.— Furniture here is monstrously
dear. Ask the D r. if it is adviseable to insure? My Books
some of them may come too— The Books I wish for, are hume, Johnson Priestley, Ainsworths
Dictionary, 1 and Such other Books as
may be most amusing and useful— The great Works and Collections I would not bring on.
But Blackstone and De Lolme on the English Constitution and the Collection of American
Constitutions I would have Sent on.— 2 I
am encouraged to expect that the House will do something that will enable Us to live,
tho perhaps not very affluently.

The Place must be left, as you can.— I can form no Judgment about it.— Charles must
come with you.— And Polly—and Elijah, if his Parents are willing.

M rs Washington, will be here before you, without doubt—she
is expected daily.— My Garden is preparing for your Reception, and I wish you were
here.

my dearest friend Adieu

J. A.

Livy and Tacitus & Cicero I would have sent, and a Plutarch in french or English
&c.