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Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 3 May 1794


My dearest Friend

I received your two kind Letters of April 19th [John to Abigail, 19 April 1794] and 22d [John to Abigail, 22 April 1794] . I was much gratified by the appointment of our Jay as Envoy extrodanary. I know not how the president could have made a more judicious choice, but there are some evil spirits who would fault the measure of heaven and quarrel with the Angle Gabrial were he sent over to declare peace on Earth, and good will to Men. The Jacobine clubs who watch over the measures of Government, sent their clue to Honesty, hence the Chronical teams with abuse upon the [ . . . ] , and clamours against the appointment of [ . . . ] Justice. I have been credibly informed that Austin [ . . . ] principally in the printing office and has seldom quitted it, upon thursdays and Mondays till 12 at Night, or rather upon the night preceeding the publishing of the paper. I presume if the Senate act with consistancy the Negative upon the non importation resolve will be as full as the vote in favour of sending Mr. Jay abroad, for I do not see upon what principal they can vote for the one, and agree to the other. You will see before this Lord Lansdowns and Earl Wycombs Speaches in the House of Lords, from which we may gather, that they are consious of the evils committed, and conscious for the consequences. After ways and means are devised I hope Congress will rise directly. Their resolve respecting the prohibition of British


manufactors, has already taxed the consumers twenty or thirty per cent, the rise of all foreign Articles has been very rapid. Many failures must be the concequence of the detention of our rebels by the depredations upon our Trade.

Upon the 12 of this month a peice of land upon which the widow vescy formerly lived is to be sold at Auction, 6 Acres. Tis expected that you will purchase it. The owner tacks a hundred and eighty pounds for it but as it is to be sold at Auction I have conversed with Dr. Tufts who does not think it worth more than ten pounds per acre. Yet to avoid bad Neighbours, he thinks I had better allow it to be bid up to 15 pounds but beyond that he would not advise me to go. I wish I knew your mind upon it and, whether you will think me distracted [ . . . ] price, The buildings are good for nothing, the land worne out, but still I should be loth to have a bad neighbour there. I wish you would inclose to me a card to Gen'll Lincoln, and ask him to send me the money if I should purchase it.

The trees are very forward and we are like to have upon many of them a full blow. But the Season is dry.

Tell Mister his wife and Family were well today.

I am my most tenderly and affectionately Yours,
A. Adams


[Envelope -- see page image]

[Endorsement -- see page image]



Cite web page as: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 3 May 1794 [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, 3 May 1794. 3 pages. Original manuscript from the Adams Family Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Source of transcription: Adams Papers Editorial Project. Unverified transcriptions.
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