Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, September 20, 1801
Philadelphia 20 th: Sept r: 1801.
Dear Mother.
I received your favor of the 10 th: inst t: the Day before yesterday, with an enclosure for J Q
A & his wife, which I forwarded to her, as I perceived it was addressed to them,
both. 1 They spent a week with me here,
during the hottest spell of weather, we have experienced, this summer, and though much
overcome by it, I was surprized to find, that they bore it so well. D r: Rush, in the absence of his lady, performed the honors of
his house, with great hospitality & kindness. Young M r: Adams is a fine boy, and his mother is, of course, proud,
as she ought to be, of him. I could not help feeling some
fondness for the youth, though I did not testify half enough partiality, to satisfy the
exquisite devotion of a mother’s heart. You will perform this office with a better
grace, than I could.
The Ex-Ambassador, is to me, precisely the same man, as when I left
him; but many of his former acquaintance exclaim—How you are altered! The only
difference I could discern, in his appearance, was a sort of fatherly look, which has
lately come to him, and which will, no doubt grow upon him, with increase of years. I am
happy, that he is once more restored to his Country & friends, for they will both,
be benefitted by his talents; however employed. He has no propensity to engage in a
political career, and from his contempt of the conduct of all the parties, which have
hitherto existed, I think he will not rank with any, unless it be with one moddeled on
his own system. Should he converse freely on political topics, and discuss, openly, the
conduct & characters of leading men, on both sides, he will, by the federalists be
called a Jacobin and by the jacobins, a federalist. As a neutral character, he would not
long continue if he could, nor could he if he would.
I received some letters for my Brother since his departure, which I
now enclose. 2 Your flour, I am told, was
Shipped for Boston, a fortnight ago, addressed to M r: W m: Smith. I have ordered two Blls more, as you desire.
The half boots, which you have, at my service, if they will suit my
brother, as I think they will, may be transferred to him; if not, please direct W m: Shaw to send them round to me, by water.
I am, dear Mother, / Your son
T B Adams.