John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, July 28, 1797

London 28 July 1797.

My dear and Honoured Parents.

I have now the happiness of presenting to you another daughter,
worthy as I fully believe of adding one to the number of those who already endear that
relation to you.— The day before yesterday united us for life. 1 My recommendation of her to your kindness and
affection I know will be unnecessary. My sentiment of her merit, will not at this
moment especially boast its impartiality , but if there be
as I believe an inseparable chain of connection which binds together all the domestic
virtues, I have the strongest pledge that she, who has in an amiable and respectable
family, adorned the characters of a daughter and Sister, will prove an equal ornament
to that of a wife.

In renewing to you, the assurances of my unalterable duty and
affection, I would now join hers to them, but believe they will be more acceptable to you from her own hand,
remaining your ever faithful Son

John Q. Adams.

The day before yesterday by uniting me to your beloved Son, has
given me a claim to solicit your parental affection, a claim I already feel will
inspire me with veneration to pursue the path of rectitude, and render me , Start deletion, worthy , End, as deserving of your esteem and tenderness,
as those who stand in the same relation, my pride would be severely wounded to yield
the palm in the fulfillment of my duties either as wife or daughter, to be respected
in these characters, and to meet the approbation of my Husband, and family, is the
greatest wish of my heart— Stimulated by these motives (your affection the reward)
will prove a sufficient incitement, never to sully the title of subscribing myself
your, / Dutiful Daughter

Louisa C. Adams