Adams Family Correspondence, volume 8

Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams, 20 December 1789 Tufts, Cotton Adams, Abigail
Cotton Tufts to Abigail Adams
Boston Decr. 20 1789 Dear Cousin

Yours of the 22d. I recd. on Sunday last, by Gen Lincoln— the several Articles You requested me to procure I shall collect as soon as possible— I have made Enquiry for Butter but have not met with any that is good a considerable Quantity has been sent to New York by a Vessel that saild a day or two past— It is somewhat doubtful whether I shall be able to buy the Hams already prepared, if not shall engage 449them so as to send them in Season for Your use— Barnard is expected every moment

It was hinted to me by a Friend, that Governor. H——k considered himself as somewhat neglected by Mr. Adams; having invited Mr. A—— to dine with him (at a Time when He invited the President—) Mr. A. accepted the Invitation, but did not attend—& tho Mr. H. saw him afterwards, He made no Excuse nor did He send any Billet of Excuse—& it was further added that Mr. A. did not call on Him when He left the State— I have just mentiond this—not that I suppose it a Matter of the highest Consequence—but imagine that it must be a matter which if explaind, would remove all Suspicion, as well an Imputation of Neglect— I shall write further a few Days hence, have now only Time to say that I am with great Sincerity Yr. affect Friend

Cotton Tufts

Beg the Favour of You to forward the Letter to Mrs. Rutgers—who is the Executr. of Dr. Crosbys Will—1

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “Dr Tufts / December 20 / 1789.”

1.

Dr. Ebenezer Crosby, Harvard 1777, was born in Braintree in 1753. A professor at and trustee of Columbia College, he died on 16 July 1788. Crosby had been married to Catharine Bedlow, daughter of Catharine Rutgers and William Bedlow; Mrs. Rutgers was probably a relative of Catharine Crosby's ( Appletons' Cyclo. Amer. Biog. ; Ernest H. Crosby, The Rutgers Family of New York, N.Y., 1886, p. 11).

The postscript was written sideways in the margin.