Lucy Ludwell Paradise to Abigail Adams, June 3, 1789

Wednesday June the 3 d. 1789

My Dear Madam—

Since my return to England, I have been told of the great Civilities you were pleased
to Shew to My Dear Deceased Child. I return you a thousand thanks for it and I wish it
may ever be in my power to shew you what I feel upon the occasion. As it was not the
fault of any Person, but the Will of God, I endeavour to receive it with all the
resignation I am able— I hope that you, and all your amiable family, enjoy the Blessings
of health, happiness, and prosperity, in as high a degree, as I know they Merit. I beg
you will have the goodness to present my best Compliments to them.

I have the honour to Congratulate you and your Family upon the appointment of M r. Adams to be our Vice President to our Newly Established
Federal Constitution. God Grant that it may be productive of every good to our Country:
and I make not be least doubt of it, since we are happy to have the Wisest and best of
Gentlemen to Govern Us. We are a Great Nation and with good Laws to make People
Industrious and oblige them to pay their debts; We shall be the First Country in the
World. Our Friend M r. Jefferson talks of returning to
America soon, pray My Dear Madam send him back to Paris as soon as you can. He is a Most
excellent Man. I am under the Greatest of obligations to him, and My Dear Friend D r. Bancroft. Indeed, I do not know what I should have done in
my afflictions since My return to Europe, had not Providence been graciously pleased to
raise up these two excellent Gentlemen to assist Me.

M r. Trumbulle has just finished a Picture that does him
great Credit. 1 I always rejoice when our
Country Men excels the Europeans. M r. Freine often talks to
me about the Civilities he received from his Excellency M r. Adams 2 he desired Me to present his
Compliments to you M r. Adams and all your amiable family. He
is a most excellent good Man, and I wish if his Court sent a Minister to America they
would send him, you know him so well, I need to say No more about him. Be pleased to
make my best Compliments to his Excellency General and M rs. Washington to General and M rs. Knox—and family, to S r. John and Lady Temple, to M r and
M rs. Jay, M r and M rs Kemble 3 Cyrus Griffin, and the Foreign Ministers and their Families, and to My Dear and old
Friend Dr Franklin and his truly good Daughter
and all her family. 4 I hope to be
honoured by the return of the packet with a Letter from you—

Dear Madam / I have the Honour to be / Your Most Obliged / Humble Serv t.

Lucy Paradise

P. S It is reported the Dauphen of Frençe is Dead 5

I am fixed in London until May Next In Margaret Street N o. 45 Cavendish Square London