William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, December 30, 1798

Philadelphia Dec 30 th 1798 Sunday
Evening

My dear Aunt.

’Though I have been writing a very long letter, to my wild,
random, laughter loving Walter and have made it very late, still I want to thank my
aunt for her letter of Dec 20 th received yesterday
morning, before I sleep. 1

Logan is chosen Representative for this State by a very large
majority. It so happened that the day, L took his seat, a new carpet was placed on the
floor of the house. The Aurora, the morning after said that the Legislature of
Pensylvania were so pleased with his late conduct and wishing to show him every
possible attention and respect, ordered a new carpet to be placed on the floor. 2 What will the directory say when they
hear that L has returned and chosen Rep e. of his state.
Instead of being hung and quartered, as he ought to have been, he returns home and is
honored with a seat in the Legislature of Pensylvania. L’s inteferance is not new Fox
in 1791 or ’2 did the same. Charles Fox sent a Mr. Adair, as his representative and
with his cypher, to St Petersburgh, there to frustrate the objects, for which the
minister from the crown, was authorized to treat. He succceeded in his design and the
rascal did actually frustrate the kings minister, in some of the objects of his
negociation. 3 But this mode of
proceedinge will never do for this country. If we allow the principle, if cabinet
factions abroad, are to be connected with popular factions here, I see nothing but the
constitution and government, must fly to pieces, like a glass bottle.

The president has received a letter from Lyons son, begging that
his father may be liberated, signed by upwards of two hundred men. 4

The Aurora says, the president has appointed , Start deletion, his , End, one son, a foreign minister, another his
Secretary and even his wifes nephew to be his own private
Secretary!!! 5

Good night / With affection I am your nephew

I have been writing so long that my fingers ache & my pens
are very bad— I am almost sleep, as you will see by my letter.

I have not received a single letter from my mother as yet. I have
written to her.