Adams Family Correspondence, volume 7

Abigail Adams to Abigail Bromfield Rogers, 30 July 1786 AA Rogers, Abigail Bromfield

1786-07-30

Abigail Adams to Abigail Bromfield Rogers, 30 July 1786 Adams, Abigail Rogers, Abigail Bromfield
Abigail Adams to Abigail Bromfield Rogers
My dear Madam London july 30th 1786

When I returnd yesterday from a litle excursion which we had made for a week into the Country of Essex to the seat of mr Brand Hollis, an excelent Englishman I had the pleasure of finding your obliging favour of june 4th.1 Mrs Copley had informd me a fortnight before of your safe arrival. I must congratulate you upon setting your foot again upon American ground. To Say that I love it above all other countries is only imitating the passion common to all Nations, each of which has something to endear it to its Natives, something which he prizes beyond what he can find elsewhere. Such are the friendships We form and the habits we contract in early youth. We do not easily part with what we look to as our solace and comfort, even tho we suffer a partial Seperation.

I am Sorry to find that you met with any thing to give pain when you ought to have received commendation and satisfaction. The first impressions here upon mr Rogers's departure were not favourable to him or to the character of Americans. Many censured him who had nothing to do in the matter. Mr Adams uniformly justified him, and your Friend always advocated for his conduct. A very little time however silenced those who were the first to complain and the remittances which arrived soon after mr Rogers's departure turnd the tables, and each one was wondering why he went away, and wishing he had staid. Such was the conversation I frequently heard repeated, so that I do not think but mr Rogers's credit here is in as high estimation as it was in the most Prosperous time of commerce.

I miss you much I assure you and shall always esteem those hours Spent with you as some of the pleasentest I have known in England. I hope your Health will not be injured by your voyage, and that you will find mrs L 2 for whom I have been much concernd, re-305coverd from her illness. My Regards to her whenever you meet. I do not Say compliments my esteem for her deserves a name more expressive.

Your Young Friend writes you by a New Name.3 Mrs Copley can tell you that she was witness to the change. May it prove, as it at present appears productive of happiness.

I Shall always rejoice to hear from you. My Regards to mr Rogers, who I believe was formd on purpose for you and was more fortunate than the Souls which dr Watts tells us who lost their fellows on the road and never join their hands.4 Mr Adams joins in wishes for your Health and happiness with Your Friend

AA

Dft (Adams Papers.)

1.

Not found.

2.

Blank in MS.

3.

No letter from AA2 to Abigail Bromfield Rogers has been found.

4.

Isaac Watts, “The Indian Philosopher,” lines 35–39: “Then down he sent the souls he made, / To seek them bodies here: / But parting from their warm abode / They lost their fellows on the road, / And never join'd their hands.”

Abigail Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 31 July 1786 AA Smith, Isaac Sr.

1786-07-31

Abigail Adams to Isaac Smith Sr., 31 July 1786 Adams, Abigail Smith, Isaac Sr.
Abigail Adams to Isaac Smith Sr.
My dear Sir London july 31 1786

This moment my cousin W. S. Letter of june 28th1 is come to hand containing the melancholy tidings of the death of my dear Aunt, which has greatly afflicted me, and renderd me unfit to offer to you that consolation which I need at this moment myself. That I am a most Sincere Sympathizer with you, and all your family in this afflictive dispensation no one can doubt who knew her as I knew her, and who loved her as I loved her. She was to me a second Parent, and the Law of kindness and Hospitality was written upon her Heart. Nor was her benevolence confined to her kindred and Relatives, but she Streched out her bountifull hand to the poor and the needy. When the Eye saw her it blessed her and the ear gave witness to her.2 By a Life of piety towards God and good will to her fellow Creatures she laid up for herself a sure reward which she is now gone to receive. I know not a better Character than hers. As Such I shall ever revere her memory.

To you my dear and honourd uncle I wish every consolation which Religion can afford, for that is the only fountain to which we can repair when bowed down with distress. My Love to all my afflicted cousins for whom I feel more than I can express. I will write them when my mind feels more composed.

I am Dear Sir most Affectionately Yours A Adams
306

RC ((MHi: Smith-Carter Papers)); addressed by WSS: “Isaac Smith Esquire Boston Pr Capt. Callihan”; endorsed: “London. July. 1786 A Adams.”

1.

No letter from William Smith of this date has been found.

2.

An adaptation of Job, 29:11: “When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me.”