Papers of John Adams, volume 21
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th1792
I do myself the honor to enclose you the minutes of the
last week and to repeat my wishes to see you here as soon as possible, And
as I hear Mrs Adams has quite recovered her
health and that your own is restored I flatter myself those wishes will soon
be gratified.1 I have every
day less fears of an unfavorable election of the two first officers in the
Government— People seem to look with solemn astonishment at the Scenes in
France & on comparison felicitate themselves on their enjoyment of peace
liberty and good government— Whilst the squibbs & crackers continually
let of by 153 inflamatory malcontents bounce for a
few minutes & go out in their own stench—
The two houses have hardly set about business in earnest nor perhaps will they much before Chrismass
Mrs Otis joins me in respects
to Mrs Adams and all friends.
I am / Sir / With esteem & respect / Your most humble
Sert
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The Vice President / of / The UStates.”
The enclosure, not found, was Otis’ routine summary
of congressional activity. Between 19 and 23 Nov., the Senate read
letters on the sinking fund balances and the public desire for peace
with Native Americans, as well as Revolutionary War veterans’ petitions
for compensation, and George Washington’s 22 Nov. instructions regarding
the payment of federal excisemen implementing the Whiskey Act (U.S. Senate, Jour.
, 2d Cong., 2d sess., p.
459–460; Washington, Papers, Presidential Series
,
11:423–424).