Boston December 23 1796
My Dearest Friend
I received by the last post your favours dated 7h.
[John to Abigail, 07 December 1796]
, 8th.
[John to Abigail, 08 December 1796]
and 12
[John to Abigail, 12 December 1796]
of the present Month together with Pains Letter and the counter part Jasper. I tremble when I look forward to the Scene opening before me. My own reflections and meditations are similar to yours except that I do contemplate a return to the Bar. Retirement at Peace Feild I think would be a much more Eligible Situation than to be fastned up Hand and foot and Tongue to be shot at as our Quincy Lads do at the poor Geese and Turkies, and like the frog in the fable, sport to the Boys was death to the frogs. Since I came to Town some curious Annecdotes have to me. Judge Daws after the Election was over, went to visit the Govenour so said the G. To answer their own ends. I say to answer their own ends Judge. They have sit up Your Father and me Electors in opposition to each other. If I had been Elected, I should have done something that should have cemented the Friendship of my Kinsman or severd us for ever. I hope Sir it will make no
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I hope Sir it will make no breach between your Father and me. Our Friend Mrs. Storer says that the conduct of the
Govenour in erasing his Name from the Law respecting Electors,
putt her in mind of some lines in a little Book of the Childrens.
There was a man in Thessaly
And he was wondrous wise
He jumped into a quickset hedge
And scratchd out both his Eyes
And when he saw his Eyes were out
With all his might and main
He jump 'd into another hedge
And scratchd them in again.
A Country Man this Week who lives about 50 miles back was in Mr. N Austins Shop, and began to talk with him upon politicks. Why says he, they tell me that Mr. Adams tho a Clever Man will not do for President. They say he can't talk. Aya says Mr. Austin, he can't talk Nonsence. But do you or can you believe that a Gentleman who was many Years in the full practise of the Law cannot talk?
Very harmless was that report in comparison of a thousand others which I dare say have
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come to your Ears. Dr. Walter
call'd to see me a day or two since. He said there were many people in this Town who almost
wisht you might not be Elected that they might have you for their
Govenour next year. To this
speach I could make no reply, but
bow'd. It is
considerd here as a Matter
setled that you are Elected, yet no person speaks of it, but what seem to
commisirate the station and to be fully sensible of its dangers and
perplexitys.
I inclose to you an Aurelias, the reputed Author Young Gardner of Milton. It is certain that he corrected the press and does not deny the peice. I can not but Suspect however that he has consented to Father it for some other person.
Tell Mrs. Otis that her Friends here are well, but in affliction for the sudden Death of Mrs. Robbins, Nabby Saltmass that was, who on one Sunday was married and before a fortnight was a Corpse. "O Blindness to the future kindly given."
Tomorrow I return to Quincy where I hope to hear often from my dearest Friend to whom
I am with the sincerest affection His
A Adams
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[Endorsement -- see page image]
