Adams Family Correspondence, volume 9

Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 4 September 1791 Washington, Martha Adams, Abigail
Martha Washington to Abigail Adams
My Dear madam Philadelphia September the 4th. 1791

Your frindly letter of the 29th of June1—I should not have suffered to remain so long unacknowledge from any other cause than that of the severe illness of my dear Little Washington—who was confined to his bed with a cruel fevor for three weeks in the Months of July & August—2 I beleive it is heardly necessary my dear madam for me to tell you that, during the time of his illness I was not in a situation to attend to any thing but him.— The fatague and anxiety which I underwent, were almost too much for me; but sine it has plased god to restore my dear child again to health, I find my self recovered, and begin to look round to see what I left undone—at that time, that I may attend to it now—

I had, with concern, heard of your illness before your Letter reched my hands; I assure you I was exceedingly rejoiced when that 228informed me that the ague had left you, and that you were getting much better.

If you have had reason to complain of the heat in New England— what must have been our situation in this city? whare a veriaty of circumstances combine with the climate to render the heat here at times almost insupporable: the heat of last week was more extreem than any we had experienced before—

The President returned from the southward in fine health—which was soon after interrupted for a little time—but I am now happy in saying that it is again restored;3 and he unites with me in compliments and best wishes to your self—the Vice President—and your family—

I expect next week to set off with the President for Mount Vernon. I shall take my grand children with me in hopes that change of air will give them strength, as they are much relaxed with the heat of this city— I expect to be back by the latter end of october—when I hope I shall have the pleasure to see you perfectly well—

Nelly and Washington desire to be particularly remembered to your self and miss smith, to whome you will be so good as to give my kind regards.— Mr & Mrs Lear thank you for your remembrance of them and thair Little Boy, and request to be presented to you in very respectfull terms— a due and beleive me / Dear madam / your affectionate / friend & Hble / servant

M Washington

RC (Adams Papers).

1.

AA to Martha Washington, 25 June, and note 1 above.

2.

For George Washington Parke Custis’ illness, see Washington, Papers, Presidential Series , 8:283, note 10.

3.

A tumor that George Washington had had removed from his leg in June 1789 returned sometime between 6 and 24 July 1791. Washington had it drained and was well again by 3 Aug. (same, 8:327, note 3).

Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 9 October 1791 Adams, Abigail Adams, John Quincy
Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams
my dear son Brookfield Sunday 9 ocbr 1791

I had not time to write to you before I left Braintree I was in so much trouble for your Aunt and Family, that I left home with a Heavy Heart indeed, nor can I look to Philadelphia with a much lighter one, for there mrs Brisler lies at the point of death with a fever, if living. I promised Lucy if any Letters should come from Genll Knox or mr Brisler after I left home that you should open 229them and give them every information they might contain respecting her.1 this I now request you to do.

I am extreemly anxious to hear from your uncle cranch. I wish you could forward a Letter to me to be left a Smiths or the stage House at N Haven, should this reach you soon enough. I did not say enough to you a[bout] your Eye's. I would have you take a portion or two of Sal[ts] and then an oz of Bark, in 6 or 7 portions.2 do not neglect it, if lost Health may be restored, lost Eyes cannot, and I am certain from my observation respecting your Health the summer past, that you stand in need of the Bark

your Father has stood his journey as well as could be expected. he is some what fatigued to day, but I hope his Heaviness arrises only from the exertions of the two last days, & from a South wind. if I had not past through the disorder myself and experienced the debility occasiond by it I should feel more anxious. convey the inclosed Letter as soon as you can to Braintree from your affectionate / Mother

A Adams

p s I received your Letter and approve of what you have done3

RC (Adams Papers); addressed by TBA: “John Quincy Adams Esqr: / Boston”; endorsed: “My Mother. 9. Octr: 1791.” and “My Mother. Octr: 9. 1791.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.

1.

JQA, when he wrote to AA on 5 Oct., forwarded a letter from Henry Knox, presumably that to JA of 28 Sept., in which Knox reported that John Briesler “has recovered and also his children, but his wife is dangerously ill” (both Adams Papers).

2.

JQA first noted “weak eyes” in his Diary on 3 August. He continued to complain of weak or sore eyes from time to time until 10 Oct. (D/JQA/16, APM Reel 19).

3.

In his letter of 5 Oct., JQA informed AA that he had purchased “a pair of hand-irons” less costly and more handsome than she had directed (Adams Papers).