William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, January 6, 1799
Philadelphia Jan 6 th 1798 [ 1799 ] Sunday Eve.
My dear Aunt
I have seldom known it to be colder at the Eastward than it is
here at present. Although I have a very large fire & my desk almost into it, still
my fingers ache & the ink scarcely runs from the pen.
I sent you a few days since Logans address, attempting, like his
brother traitors, to vindicate his conduct. 1 Thus did Arnold, Munroe & Randolph and
thus do all traitors,
“If their purgation did consist in words
They would be innocent as grace it self” 2
Logans says in his address that he offered not only to answer any question 3 Mr Pickering should ask him but to give up all his papers. This is a lye Mr Pickering
told me himself that he made no such offer.
The president received your favor of Dec 21 st yesterday morning. 4 I was
sorry to perceive that you were not in good spirits, I always know & judge of your
health by the style of your letters.
Brisler wrote yesterday to Mr Black informing him of his brothers
death. The president has ordered him to be buried with decency at his expence. If Mr B
wishes any thing done, I will do it with pleasure. I most cordially sympathise with Mr
Black, not so much for his brothers death as for his past life.
I spent last Eve very agreeably at the Sec y at War’s. I admire Mrs Mc. Henry. She is I believe very sensible, & has
a very pretty neice. Mr & Mrs Otis are very friendly to me. I
hardly know what I should have done without them. I like Mr. O much better than I
expected. He has shown every possible attention to me. I find Mr. Briler to be one of
the vainest men in the world, but of all men I ever knew has the most reason to be
vain. His geese are all swans. He scolds & says that he rather prepare a dinner
for five hundred gen n. & ladies than for 26 gentlemen
alone.
Mr B——t was here the other Eve—gave Mrs B’s compliments to the
president & told him that the first pleasant Eve. she intended comeing to see him.
The pres t. gave his compliments in return & told him
to tell Mrs B. not come without her husband.
I have sent out Cards for a very large party the foreign
ministers & their ladies &c to dine here thursday. O how happy should I be if
Aunt was here to receive them.
Your affectionate
W m S S
I have sent you three or four letters which you have never
mentioned receiveing I dont know what can have become of them.