William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, February 26, 1799

Philadelphia Feb 26 th 1799

My dear Aunt

I received your letter of the 14 th of
Feb. yesterday— I enclosed to you this morning Browns paper containing the report of
the committee, to whom was referred the petitions &c requesting the repeal of the
Alien & Sedition bills &c. It was drawn up by Mr. Goodrich of Con t. and is a most masterly production. 1 I think you must be pleased with it. The
report was made the order of the day for yesterday. The Federalists knowing that the
subjects had long since been exhausted—considering the short time which they had to
sit and convinced of the importance of decideing on some other business before they
rose, agreed among themselves, that not one of them should rise to speak—to this they
strictly adhered. Gallatin spoke nearly two hours on the repeal of the Alien bill
& N—s on the sedition bill, as long—the question was then taken & negatived by
a majority of four only —52 against the repeal & 48 in
favor of it. 2 For the honor of my
country I could wish the majority had been greater.

Please to remember me affectionately to Mr. Adams— I have
received his letter & will answer it soon, but at present have a most violent head
ache & must go to bed. 3

With Love to all I am my dear Aunt / yours affectionately.

Wednesday Morn.

You will see by a Charleston paper with what cordiality Mr.
Pinckney is there received— 4 I never
knew colder weather than we have had here for this week past. The president never has
had least the idea of going to the Federal city.