Louisa Catherine Adams to Abigail Adams, December 7, 1803

Boston December 7 th. 1803

I recieved your letter dear Madam and should have answer’d it had
not the illness of the two children prevented me 1 John was very sick cutting two teeth but is now
perfectly recover’d and larger and fatter than ever George has
been very ill owing to a severe cold which occasioned a smart fever for several days
which reduced him very much he has not yet left his room but is nearly recover’d—

M rs. Pain and M rs. Morton are both here 2 M rs. P. looks charmingly and is very much admired M rs. M. is not quite so much the fashion as last winter I have
seen them both several times.— The arrival of M r. & M rs. Merry has afforded great satisfaction as they seem
inclined to live in great stile and magnificence , Start deletion, and , End, which will enliven the society very much. they have taken the houses which
my Mother and M rs. Tom Peter lived in the two are to be
thrown into one enclosed with a handsome railing and a large and elegant garden laid out
at the back of the house this will certainly be a great advantage to the City. 3

M rs. Hellen is in a very ill state of
health indeed we are extremely anxious on her account the loss she has sustained preys
heavily on her spirits and the illness she suffered so immediately after redoubled her
affliction and proved a severe shock to her constitution. 4

The family all desire their best respects Mama looks very thin and
Pale and has quite lost her spirits remember me affectionately to the president and
Louisa and believe me dear Madam your affectionate

Louisa C. Adams

P. S. I left some Music in the Room I slept in I would thank M r. Shaw to send it me if you can find it and half a dozen
lb. of Shells and the same of Chocolate from Ticknors 5 M r. Whitcomb will
pay for them.