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Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 December 1795


My Dearest Friend

The day I wrote you last, I received your Letter written at N york. Neither of my Neighbours Black or Beals went yesterday to Town, so that if any Letters came by Saturdays post, I must wait till Thursday for them which I do not so well like. I should like you to write me by the Wednesday post, then I should get my Letters of a thursday.

The account you gave me of Charles situation, and increasing buisness was very agreable to me. You did not mention Sally. Gentlemen are not half particular as the Ladies are in their details. I recollect when C L was minister for foreign affairs, he found fault because you was not minute enough in your description of the looks, behaviour &c. of those with whom your buisness connected you. Accordingly in a Journal you sent, you related some conversation and Speaches, and even handing Madam Lu Comtess, to sable. I cannot but figure to myself how immoveable and like the Marble Medallion you ought to keep your countanance whilst differing parties address you. The Speach of B. in support of M's Motion, which the Centinal informs us Bache has retaild, must have been one trial amongst many others, is your Senate Chamber


crowded? Parkers politeness is execrated. It is impossible for the President to have given a severer rebuke to the Jacobins than he has done, by the particular detail of the flourishing and prosperous state of our Country.

To virtue only, and her Friends a Friend
Faction beside, may Murmur, or Commend
Know all the distant Din, that Fiend can keep
Rolls over Mount Vernon and Cut; Sooths my Sleep.

Those Lines of Pope occurd to me upon reading the Speach fraught with so much benevolence, after all the abuse and scurility so wantonly displayd by, a decaying dying dying Junto. As I hope they now are, Symptoms of Mortality appear in all their Limbs.

I suppose you take Bache paper upon the same principal that you wanted the Chronical, and as their is no Wife to prevent it. I should like to see Butlers Speach. Pray inclose it to me.

Are the reflections upon Peace by Madam De Stael, to be had here? If so be so kind as to send them.

Our people began the buisness you mentiond, but were driven of by bad weather. We are like to have Snow enough.

Adieu ever Yours
A Adams


[Envelope -- see page image]

[Endorsement -- see page image]



Cite web page as: Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 20 December 1795 [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, 20 December 1795. 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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