Quincy Decbr. 14th. 1796
My Dearest Friend
On Saturday I received Yours of Decbr. 1 from N York
[John to Abigail, 01 December 1796]
. All wait in anxious expectation for the arrival of the Mail with the Presidents Speach. And this is not the only cause of anxiety. The result of Election is a Subject of greater Moment to them than at any former period.
The Judge and Mrs. Cushing took Tea with me on Saturday. Mrs. Cushing who you know carries her Heart in her Eyes, told me that She believed from what She heard whilst She was in Conneticut, that the vote would be for You, if it was left to every individual to determine it, in that State. I believe She Spoke as She felt, and perhaps in no State would the people be more unanimous. The Die is cast. We Shall Soon See what it turns up.
The Weather still continues cold. Mr. Whitney has preachd for us three Sundays. He has in my estimation rivald every other Canditate. Dr. Welch Sent me a Letter which he received from Thomas of 30 of Sepbr. in which he Says the defeat of the Armies of the Sambre and Meuse and upon the Rhine and Mossele had changed in Some measure the gigantic projects of the Directory. Of us Americans
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they Say without Stammering, that Great Britain, has
frightned our Government into a
Disgracefull Submission and in order to
mantain the Balance France will undertake to Terrify the
people into a rebellion against themselves." This is
litterally practising by our Jacobins when they give out that the French Swear they will go to War with us if the Vice President is made President. This
Stuf is circulated not only in this place but in all the Towns bordering on Boston amongst those people who attend the markets, and who do not give themselves time to reflect and consider it, an insult to be dictated to by a foreign Nation.
Much Sooner than You thought of, have Your warnings and admonitions become [illegible] proofs as Strong as holy writ
Your Mother is here and well. I write more that you may not be dissapointed than for any thing which I have to communicate.
I am as ever Yours,
A Adams
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[Envelope -- see page image]
[Endorsement -- see page image]
