Mary Smith Gray Otis to Abigail Adams, April 23, 1802

Washington April 23 d 1802

Indolence shall no longer prevent my acknowledging, the pleasure I
felt (my dear M rs Adams) from your kind & affectionate
letter which I received some time ago. 1

Your sentiments on the subject of friends are so congenial with my
own, that I wish by every means in my power, to cherish with the warmest affection, the
few that are spared to me.

The last respects were paid to our friend M rs Stodart, the day after receiving your letter, I saw her about a fortnight
before her death, she inquired with much anxiety after your health, & desired to be
perticularly remembered to you.

It gives me great pleasure to hear that my Sister S—— has so
surprisingly recovered from your account of her & Betsy’s the first of the winter, I
was very apprehensive that I should never see her face any more; but I now anticipate
the pleasure of seeing her & all my other friends, in six or eight weeks. It is not
quite certain when Congress will adjourn, for you know, there are many who would spin
out business till mid summer, rather than relinquish 6 Dll. There have been a number of
ladies belonging to Congress here this winter, but I assure you, the Jews have but
little dealings with the Samaritans. 2

We are pleased with the prospect, of the Sun of fedaralism’s rising
again in the east, and allso, that your Son is comeing forward in his political
career. 3

M rs Daltons & M rs Cranch’s family’s are well, the measles have been
universial, but Mary has not taken them, for which I am sorry, as she is at a good
age. 4 M rs Bayard is the only one in our house that has taken them, and she had them very
favourably. 5

I regret the loss which M r Johnson’s
family have sustained, I am told they intend remaining in Fredrick. 6

Please to remember me to M rs Cranch
& Louisa. M r O with Harriet & Mary join their best
respects to you, & your Friend with / Your
Affectionate

M: Otis