Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, July 4, 1804

Washington July 4 th. 1804

My most beloved friend

I recieved your last very kind letter two days since and return you
many thanks for your verses 1 the idea is
extremely beautiful and I should be much delighted to see it dressed in some other form
by you I do not admire the versification at precent whatever you do write must be more grateful to me than the best
piece that ever was pened—

I followed the multitude to day and went to pay my respects to the
President every body attended that remain’d in town and we had as much Ice Cream and
cake as we could eat the President is so alter’d I scarcely knew him he is grown very
thin and looks very old— 2

Poor Pichon is in great distress their little Lewis is dangerously
ill 3 D r May
attends him but he is fearful he has been called in too late M rs. Pichon is very much to be pitied she will not believe her Child is Sick she
has however consented to the Childs being Cloathed in Flannel I sincerely hope it will
recover but I very much fear it is in the last stage of a decline—

There have been five attempts made to destroy Mount Vernon M rs. Washington dare not Sleep there when M r. Washington is from home a few days since a servant went
into the Cellar for something in the evening and found it in a blaze they put it out
with difficulty and on searching the Cellar discover’d a Barrel filled with Tar Shaving
&c. prepared to set fire to the Gardener an Irishman is supposed to have done it and
has been confined in consequence but this last attempt has been made since his
imprisonment— 4

I see by the papers Col. Trumbull is returned it is here said M r. Pinckney is to have the place of Attorney General in lieu
of M r. Lincoln in the hope of his becoming one of the
reigning party he returns early in the Spring— 5

Adieu my beloved friend remember me affectionately to your friends
the are much as usual I intend going to Bladensburg tomorrow by way of changing the air
I shall write you as soon as I return with the tenderest sentiments of esteem and love I
remain your faithful

L. C. Adams

P.S. The President asked after you and was very anxious to know
when you returned