Adams Family Correspondence, volume 10

Martha Washington to Abigail Adams, 19 July 1794 Washington, Martha Adams, Abigail
Martha Washington to Abigail Adams
My Dear Madam— Philadelphia July the 19th 1794

Mr Adams (your son) presented me with your obliging favor of June the 20th. and I pray you to accept my thanks for your kind remembrance of me; and the assurance of the pleasure I felt at hearing that you had quite recovered your health again.—

That parental feelings should be put to the test at a seperation (perhaps for years) from a dutyful, and meritorious son, is not to be wondered at; but as there is no trial bereft of consolation, so in the one before you, you have a flattering vẽw of his future welfare.— The prudence, good sence and high estamation in which he stands, leaves you nothing to apprehend on his account from the want of these traits in his character;—whilst abilities, exerted in the road in which he is now placed, affords him the fairest prospect rendering 215 eminent services to his country; and of being, in time, among the fore most in her councils.— This I know is the opinion of my Husband, from whom I have imbided the idea.—

he begs me to present his best wishes and respectful compliments to you, and joins me in sincear regards for the Vice-President

With very great esteem I remain / Dear Madam your / affectionat Servant

M Washington

Nelly and Washington write with me in good wishes for miss Smith

RC (Adams Papers).

Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 20 July 1794 Adams, Abigail Adams, John Quincy
Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams
my dear Son Quincy july. 20th 1794

I received your Letter this morning of the 12th and one from N york by your Brother Charles,1 who got here the day before commencment; in good Health & spirits. your Father and Brother, myself and Louissa all went together to commencment. the weather was uncomfortably Hot. it was otherways an agreeable day. I hope you will not experience any unusual inconvenience from the Heat of Philadelphia. your stay there will not be longer than you are obliged to. I cannot think of your going abroad without returning here. Your Father will write to you respecting your Proposal for Thomas—2 you knew my mind upon the Subject before you left me. provided you had an allowence for a secretary, I have always wisht that your Brother might have an opportunity of going abroad for a short period of Time, and as you are inclined to have him accompany you, I think it is not probably that a better opportunity will ever present itself, for him, as you may be mutually benificial to each other, and it will not be so Solitary to you. I will not take my own personal feelings into the question. What ever may be for the benifit of my children I acquiese in.

Tilly went as I wrote you to get innoculated but as no other person presented they thought it would not do to take one person only. he is however determind to go with you & risk it.

Let me hear from you by every the post I think you will be like to get a passage from hence as readily as from N york or Philadelphia. I have a request to make you and Your Brother. if there is a minature painter in the city Set for your Liknesses large enough for 216 217 218 Braslets & if You get them give them to mr Anthony to set with a lock of each of your Hairs to be put on the back together with Your Names in a cypher and whatever the expence may be I will repay you here.3 the Likeness may be taken and the pictures left with mr Anthony as it will take him some time to set them. you must Spair Time for it if possible—

Yours affectionatly

A Adams

RC (Adams Papers).

1.

JQA to AA, 8 July, above.

2.

JA wrote to JQA on 20 July fully supporting the plan for TBA to accompany JQA to Europe (Adams Papers).

3.

Joseph Anthony Jr. was a Philadelphia jeweler and goldsmith ( Philadelphia Directory, 1794, Evans, No. 27089). JQA and TBA eventually had the miniatures painted by a British artist in the Netherlands; see Descriptive List of Illustrations, Nos. 4 and 5, above.