Adams Family Correspondence, volume 8

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 23 March 1788 Adams, Abigail Adams, John
Abigail Adams to John Adams
Bath Hotell March 23 1788 my dearest Friend

I received yours of the 14th and ever Since thursday have been in Hourly expectation of seeing you I hope it is oweing to all the packets being detaind upon this Side, as is reported, and not to any indisposition that your return is delayed, that unpleasing detention is sufficiently mortifying particularly as we wish to proceed to Falmouth as soon as possible, tho I shall fear to go from hence untill the ship is gone, for from the best information I can get callihan has as yet scarcly any thing but our Bagage &c on Board, and even that has been several days delay'd by him. I came last monday Evening to this Hotell, that the Beds & remaining furniture might be sent on Board and the House given up. this will be wholy accomplish'd on the morrow if the weather permits, & has been oweing to that, for several days that all has not been accomplished

The packet arrived this week from Newyork and brings an account that seven states had accepted the Constitution. the Massachusetts convention consisted of 300 & 40 members. it was carried by a Majority of Nineteen Georgia & South Carolina are the two other states of which we had not before any certain accounts. New Hamshire was sitting. Newyork are becomeing more National and 248mr Duer writes mr Smith, that he may consider the constitution as accepted, & begining to operate at the Commencment of an other Year.1 Newyork had agreed to call a convention—thus my dear Friend I think we shall return to our Country at a very important period and with more pleasing prospects opening before her than the turbulent Scenes which massachusetts not long since presented. May wisdom Govern her counsels and justice direct her opperations.

mr & Mrs Smith set off this week for Falmouth. she is now confined with a Soar throat, similar to the complaint which afficted me ten days ago. I write in hopes the Baron de Lynden will meet you on your return.

I shall be exceedingly anxious if I do not see, or hear from you soon

adieu & believe me ever yours

A Adams

RC (Adams Papers); docketed by JA: “A A to J. A / 23 March 1788.”

1.

William Duer (1747–1799) migrated from England to New York in the late 1760s. He represented New York in the Continental Congress alongside JA and later served briefly as assistant secretary of the treasury department ( DAB ).

Susanna Clarke Copley to Abigail Adams, 28 March 1788 Copley, Susanna Clarke Adams, Abigail
Susanna Clarke Copley to Abigail Adams
George Street March 28th: 1788

Mrs: Copley presents Compliments to Mrs: Adams: would have called uppon her this Morning, but that she thinks it must at this time be inconvenient to Mrs: Adams: will be very happy if it is consistant with Mrs: Adams's engagements to have the pleasure of her company at Tea in George street before she leaves London: (but least she should not have that pleasure) takes leave to say that her best wishes ever attend Mrs: Adams: that her Voyage may be prosperous, and that it may be succeeded by the very great pleasure of Meeting her Family, and Friends in health, that all happiness may long attend Mrs: Adams and her Family, and that it will be a great gatifycation to Mrs: C: to hear of the welfare of those for whom she shall retain the highest esteem; and to whom she feels herself much obliged for their Friendship and politeness—

Mr: & Miss C: desire to untite in respectful compliments to Mr: & Mrs: Adams— Miss C: wishes that the Artificial Roses where more worthy Mrs: Adams's acceptance: she delayed doing them hopeing to have had some natural ones to have copyed which would have Made them more perfect—

249

Mrs: Copley has taken the liberty to send with this a Letter for her Friend Mrs: Rogers, and a parcel from Mr: Bromfield—

RC (Adams Papers).