Adams Family Correspondence, volume 10

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 10 December 1794 Adams, John Adams, Abigail

John Adams to Abigail Adams

My Dearest Friend Phil. Decr 10. 1794

Entre nous Mr sheerjashub Bourne called upon me the other Morning to ask me some Questions about Mr Blacks farm and Captn. Beale’s farm. He says both are to be sold— Beale asks ten 293 thousand Dollars for his New House and farm—and the same for Squantm— Mr Blacks asks Eighteen thousand but it is Supposed would take fifteen. I hope in mercy Bourn will not buy— Our present Neighbours are I believe much better. dont say any thing of this. Beale and Black are both impatient to be making Money in Boston, and I dare say the Ladies had rather shine in the City.

Mrs Hancock it seems, thinks the Captn of a Man of War as great a Man as a Governor or King— I dare say she will find him a greater. Do you remember a Dialogue of Ld Littleton between The Princess of orange and the Countess of Clarickard?1 I dare say she has no Idea of devoting herself to the Memory of a deceased Husband. such Ideas are too Heroic & Romantic, for this enlightened Age.

Mr Cranch breakfasted with me, this morning. Tomorrow he goes off— I gave him a Letter to Mr Carrol of Carrolton.2

Adieu

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “December 10th.”

George Lyttelton, Baron Lyttelton, Dialogues of the Dead, London, 1760, Dialogue XVI. In this imagined dialogue between Louise de Coligni, Princess of Orange, and Frances Walsingham, Countess of Essex and Clanrickard (or Clanricarde), Lyttelton has the two women discussing their marriages, particularly Walsingham’s decision to marry Richard de Burgh, 4th Earl of Clanrickard, following the deaths of her first two husbands, Sir Philip Sidney and Robert Devereux, 2d Earl of Essex. The Princess of Orange cannot understand how Walsingham would agree to marry someone of considerably lower station and stature than her previous husbands, arguing, “The Ambition of your Heart could surely be satisfied with no meaner Husband.” Walsingham disagrees, stating, “I desired a quiet Life and the Joys of wedded Love, with an agreeable, virtuous, well-born, unambitious, unenterprising Husband. All this I found in the Earl of Clanrickard: and, believe me, Madam, I enjoyed more solid Felicity in Ireland with him, than I ever had known with my two former Husbands, in all the Pride of their Glory, when England and Europe resounded with their Praise.”

On 10 Dec. JA wrote a letter of introduction for William Cranch to Charles Carroll of Carrollton, his former colleague in the Continental Congress (DLC:William Cranch Papers).

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 11 December 1794 Adams, Abigail Adams, John

Abigail Adams to John Adams

Quincy December 11th Thursday mor 1794 my Dearest Friend

I was most sadly dissapointed last Evening when my Newpapers came from the post office without a Letter. the latest date I have received was Novbr 26, so that two post have arrived without a line. I am not anxious if one, only passes, but you are usually so good in writing me once a week always; and very frequently oftener, that I am really allarmd least you are sick, & very sick otherways you 294 would have written. my only hope rest now that mr Freeman who I hear got in yesterday, may have a letter for me. I shall be in the vapours till Saturday, if I do not hear.

I have read with great eagerness the Debates in Congress, and whilst I am highly gratified at the firmness and independant Spirits discoverd by those who with superior Tallents Support the Laws & Government, I am mortified to find so large a proportion of that House Abbettors of Jacobine clubbs, and favourers of a spirit of insurrection and Rebellion— yet tis best that the world should see and know them, and their principals. these have been pretty fully displayd in the late Debates. Austin I hear is thundering his annathamas against the President & Ecoing Giles in the Chronical.

we have had remarkable fine weather Since December came in. I pray you to send me for a New years Gift, Lady Cravens Journey to constantinople, Bennet’s Strictures on Female Education, & to Louissa Bennets Letters to a young Lady.1 they are to be Sold at Davies Book store No 68 market Street.2

My Creditors call upon me, and I promise to pay them in the course of the Month. I am really in want of a remittance.3 I know I have it in my power to help myself, but I had rather wait a few days longer—

I have only time to add Sincere & fervent wishes for your Health & happiness—without which neither can be the lot of your ever affectionate

A Adams—

I have written to you every week

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “Mrs A. Decr. 11. / 1794.”

Elizabeth Craven, Baroness Craven, A Journey through the Crimea to Constantinople, London, 1789; Rev. John Bennett, Strictures on Female Education, London, 1787; and Bennett, Letters to a Young Lady, on a Variety of Useful and Interesting Subjects, Warrington, Eng., 1789.

Benjamin Davies, a bookseller and stationer, operated a store at 68 Market (High) Street in Philadelphia ( Philadelphia Directory, 1794, Evans, No. 27089).

On this same date, JA sent AA $600 (Adams Papers).