John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, November 7, 1803

City of Washington 7. November 1803.

I have received, My dear Mother, your kind letter of the 23 d: ult o: and it gives me the most
cordial gratification to learn that your health was daily improving— 1 I have also the satisfaction to tell you that my
wife and children as well as myself are in very good health— As are all the family with
whom we here reside, excepting M rs: Hellen, and she is fast
recovering.

My brother has concluded to wind up his affairs at Philadelphia,
and remove to Quincy— 2 I presume you will
see him there in a very short time; and I hope he will contribute largely to your
comfort and enjoyments— If I may be permitted to suggest one idea, which I am sure will
contribute to his happiness, it is that he be left entirely, and in the most unqualified
manner, to his own choice and humour in his mode of life and his pursuits— I would even
wish that no advice upon these subjects be given him unless
at his own desire— I am fully confident that the most effectual means of reconciling him
both to his removal and to his future residence at home, will be to leave him in the
complete satisfaction with his own independence ; that
sentiment so natural and so powerful upon every mind, and which is of peculiar weight
upon his.

We are going on here, smoothly enough— Our Session is to be very
short, and we are to rise at latest by the beginning of the new year— 3

I have enclosed to my father a copy of the Report from the
Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the finances. 4

M r: Cranch and his family are well.

Faithfully your’s

John Q. Adams.