Quincy December 10th 1798
My dearest Friend
I received yours of 28th of Novbr. I have not faild of writing to you once a week ever since you left me, and I believe twice, tho the Letters may not reach you, so regularly as I wish. I have kept you informd of our movements. Mr. Porter and French compleated last night getting Home the whole of our Timber, Board, and Shingles. Of the Boards there are more than 30 thousand, and near 50 thousand Shingles. All agree better Stuff was never brought. The Boards remain to be strucke. We have a prospect of winter enough, and long Enough. It began snowing yesterday and continues to increase this day, Sunday, with increased voilence. It bids fair for a very deep Snow, and this at the commencment of December. We must now look to getting our wood, and sleding the manure upon the Hill. We have made great Slaughter with our English Hay working our cattle so hard, and keeping Frenchs, both whilst building the Wall and carting the Timber, for we had no feed for a long time before you went away. I bought a load of Straw for the Horses so that Michial does not use Hay, nor do I let him be so lavish with oats as James used to be, for the horses are so little used that they do not require them and Michial is of opinion that Favorites feet have been injured by
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giving him too many. He was
been lame
[illegible] before the Coach man went away, and has been so ever since. His feet are constantly
oild and I have had them examined by more than one Blacksmith,
but both of whom agree that he has the worst feet they have met with. I have now had his Shoes taken of, and some old ones slightly put on and have
orderd that he shall have only two
qts oats a day. Be so good as to speak to Mr. Brisler respecting the Blacksmith
employd by the Coach man, and let him order the Horses shod by the one whom he formerly
employd. The last did not do justice to the Horses.
Brother Cranch seems something better tho he swells very much. Boylstone Adams was here and dined with me, the last week. I think his fever is leaving him and his cough has done so in a great measure but he is very thin and very feeble. I think he will not get out soon. For myself I have not been so sick since you left me as to be confined to my Chamber, and tho my Spirits and health are in proportion to the rest I get, my sleepless nights are fewer, and my rest better. I have had but one without Sleep for a week and I hope if the Snow does not bank too much to be able to use more excercise.
I sent Richard Dexter by way of Providence. I do not know what luck
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he has had in getting on. If you like him as I think you will, I would have him to attend
particuliarly upon you, that you may have a Servant whom you can understand. He
appeard very
desirious of pleasing and he wishes to spend his leisure, if any he has, in learning to write and spell. Cousin William will do well to assist him in this.
Genll. Lincoln has been leading me into temptation. I think it best to give you suitable information of it. He has told me that he expects to go to Philadelphia in Jan'ry if the sleying should prove fine, and that he will take charge of me and go just as I can bear as he shall be in no Hurry and that we may get on so Charmingly if I should find my Health sufficiently confirmd by that time. But I know not whether I shall have courage to attempt it, unless I should hear that you were unwell, and then no difficulty shall stop me short of Sickness on my part. I find the cold weather strengthen me, but you will see in a little time how you make out. I would not upon any account come to be the trouble I have been both to myself and Friends, nor attempt a journey without feeling myself able to encounter it.
I see by last Evening Centinal that Russel has republishd the Letter with some of his own observations upon it. I should like to know how it sits at P.
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as The part which Logan, and his Employers have acted cannot be too fully known and exposed. I
scarcly knew how to believe the
News paper reports, that Logan dared give himself out as invested with Authority.
Jefferson is handled in our papers without much mercy, and will be still more
excecrated. He will however find his Supporters. We have news from
Dominick Dominico whether to be relied upon I know not. We wait for the Speech with some anxiety, perhaps none more so than Your
Abigail Adams
Be so kind as to Frank and forward the inclosed Letters.
