John Adams to Abigail Adams, March 7, 1799

Phyl. March 7. 1799

My dearest Friend

I have been so overwhelmed with Business at the Close of the
session of Congress and Since, that I have not been able to write you for several
Days.

M r Grove desired me to tell you that
M r William Smith your Nephew is married to a very amiable
young Lady the Daughter of a rich Father. 1 What he means by a rich Father I dont know.— I congratulate you & Louisa on this
Event.

I cannot Say whether I shall see you in March. I have much to do.
but neither a sense of Duty nor the feelings of Inclination will be wanting to induce me to see you at Quincy as soon as possible.— I shall not go
to Washington.— I cannot.

I am grieved and mourn for your Confinement.— In the Spring I will
run about with you and in the fall bring you again to Phyladelphia.

You will have News enough without my giving you the trouble to read
them in my scrawls. Yours ever

J. A