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Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 April 1789


My dearest Friend

I received Mr. Bourn's Letter to day, dated this day week, and I was very happy to Learn of it that you had made so Rapid a progress. I hope you stoped at my old acquaintance Avery's, and that you met with as good entertainment as I had led you to expect. All your Friends rejoiced in the fine weather which attended you. and conceive it, a propitious omen. I enjoyed. the Triumph tho I did not partake the Gale, and perhaps my mind might have been a little Elated upon the Late occasion if I had not have lived Long enough in the world to have seen the fickleness of it, yet to giveit, it's due, it blew from the right point on that Day.

Mr. Allen was so polite as to come out to Braintree to day to know if I had any Letters or packages that I wish'd to send forward to you, and that he would take them. I promis'd to forward a Letter and News papers. Mr. A. I presume has business of importance by his return so soon. I hope it is not an office that a friend of yours now holds, and who is in some little anxiety about his own Fate. I received a Letter from him this Evening. I will inclose it by an other opportunity, yet I promised to mention to you what I conceived almost, or quite needless. because I know your Sentiments with respect to him so well, that I was sure you would interest yourself for his continuance in office whatever the System might be. If I have written a little ambiguously you may the more easily guess at the person meant.

The Children are now at home. Charles


tells me that the Class which take their degree leave college the 21 of June and that if you have occasion for him he can come on as soon after that day as you wish, that he can have his degree as well as if he was present. He seems to be fond of the thought of getting rid of the parade of commencement. If it would be no injury to him, I should be equally fond of getting rid of a trouble in which there is very little Satisfaction, a good deal of expence and generally many affronts given by omissions.

I mentiond it to the Dr. and he approves it. I wrote thus early that I might know your mind upon the subject, you will give me the earliest information respecting prospects. I hope you will be carefull of your Health, and be enabled to go through the arduous task in which you are engaged. I wish to hear from you as often as possible. My Love to Mrs. Smith and children. Let Brisler know that his wife and child are very cleverly, that she is able to Nurse it, and much better than she was before she was confin'd. Mr. Bass moves tomorrow into our House. I have reserved a part of it for Esther if Brisler should continue at New York, and that will obviate the difficulty of being alone in a House. I had the misfortune of loosing one of the young creatures a day or two after you left me by the Horn Sickness. It faild of eating in the morning and before I could get any body to it, it was dead. The Horns were hollow upon inspection but I Suppose your Farm is quite out of your head by this Time and you will only think of it as a departed Friend, and without the


consolation of thinking its Situation better'd, the 20 Trees are all set out, and come in good order.

I am my dearest Friend most affectionately yours
A Adams


[Endorsement -- see page image]

[Envelope -- see page image]



Cite web page as: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 April 1789 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/
Original manuscript: Adams, Abigail. Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 22 April 1789. 4 pages. Original manuscript from the Adams Family Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Source of transcription: Adams Papers Editorial Project. Unverified transcriptions.
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