Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 January 1779

Page 1

Passy jany. 18. 1779

My dearest Friend

A Gentleman, Mr. Boardman of Newbury Port, is going, and by him I send you a few Lines.

In England nothing is talked of, but Admiral Keppell, whom they are daily trying by a Court Martial. His Defence, I suppose is our security, viz. the shattered Condition of their Navy.

They are almost ripe for cutting each others Throats to all Appearance, yet they are about sending Reinforcements to America. But they cant send many.

Here, they are silently preparing for your Assistance. Patience and Perseverance, will finally obtain what We wish.

I am quite unwell, with one of my violent Colds. But I walk ten miles a day to cure it.

I never was so embarrassed, in writing to you in my Life. I never know what security I have

Page 2

against appearing in the News Papers, and I assure you I dont wish to see any more of my Love Letters there. [An allusion to his letter to AA of 24 July 1775 [John to Abigail, 24 July 1775 (copy)] , intercepted and published by the British.]

I have been here in a State of total Suspence and Uncertainty, these three Months. Not one Word can We get from Congress. No News here from the Comte since his Departure from Boston.

Cite web page as: Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 January 1779 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/

Original manuscript: Adams, John. Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 January 1779. 2 pages. Original manuscript from the Adams Family Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.

Source of transcription: Butterfield, L.H., and Marc Friedlaender, eds. Adams Family Correspondence. Vol. 3. Cambridge, Mass. : Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1973.