Adams Family Correspondence, volume 10

Samuel A. Otis to John Adams, 28 October 1794 Otis, Samuel Allyne Adams, John

Samuel A. Otis to John Adams

Dear Sir Philada Octr 28th 1794

I wrote you soon after my arrival that I had engaged you lodgings at Franciss Hotel, Two rooms first floor, for 20 dollars, but not having your answer shall relinquish them—And for two reasons— 1st The 243 place is two public—you must dine with a large Company and not the most respectable part of Congress; in short you must lodge at a tavern and at a dear rate— 2d I have got you two rooms on the first floor and room for a servant in a private family for 16 dollars, To have a table to yourself— This family are younger English people by the name of Alder, and have no young children—And are recommended as sober decent people.1 They live in the house next to where Wolcott formerly lived fronting Binghams; So from your front chamber you may see madam prink about her Garden as often as you think it worth while to go from your fire to your window.

I dont know any objection you can have except to distance from Congress. But tis not half so far as you usually walk for pleasure—

Your friends did not like the Idea of setting you down with all the company usually dining at the Hotel of Francis, and I confess it was until now Hobsons choice— There is one spare room [at] Alders which they will or will not put a Gentleman in as you prefer and none but such as you may approve— Not having an Idea that you will disapprove the plan as now altered, I enclose you Alders direction—Who has engaged to furnish the rooms in a neat genteel Style.2

With respects to Mr Smith & Lady I have the honor to be / your most humble Sert

Sam A. Otis

Nothing need be said to Francis but that you preferred more retired Lodgings—

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “The Vice President / of / The United States / To the care of Col: Wm Smith / New York”; endorsed: “S A Otis. / 1794.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.

Caleb Alder was a British upholsterer who lived at 119 South Third Street, near the home of William and Anne Bingham ( Philadelphia Directory, 1796, p. 125, Evans, No. 28845; Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser, 26 Sept.; Philadelphia Directory, 1795, Evans, No. 27089).

Enclosure not found.

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 2 November 1794 Adams, John Adams, Abigail

John Adams to Abigail Adams

My Dearest Friend Hartford Nov. 2. 1794

We arrived here last night in good Season. The Roads were not very bad, and the Weather, tho Showery, was not inconvenient.

Mr Freeman the Son of our late Neighbours at Milton and a Mr Thorp of New York were our Companions in the Stage. Mr Freeman is a very agreable Man. I never travelled with any Man more assiduous to make me comfortable.1

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At Church I met my Old Friends Governor Huntington and Lt Governor Wolcot.2 Mr Trumbull I have not yet Seen. He is confined with the Vapours.3

Mr Speaker Trumbull is Senator for Six Years from next March.4

The Weather is to day as fine as possible.

I hope the East Winds have brought in more Treasures from the Sea, and that my Farmers continue to Secure them.

In the Country Towns in Mr Ames’s District I found a Spirit in his favour very different from that in some People of Boston.5 I dont despair of him yet.

Take great Care of your Health and of that of Louisa. Four Months will soon be gone, when I hope to find you happy in good News from our Children abroad & at home, in good health and Spirits, and ardent for another Agricultural Campaign more glorious but less fatiguing than the last. Duty to Mother & Love to all

your without ceasing

J. A

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs A”; endorsed: “Novbr / 2d / 1794.”

That is, Jonathan Freeman Jr., for whom see vol. 9:61. He was the son of Ruth Hatch Freeman (b. 1733) and Capt. Jonathan Freeman (1728–1796), a shipmaster and merchant, who had lived in Foy House on Milton Hill (Frederick Freeman, Freeman Genealogy, Boston, 1875, p. 111–112).

Gov. Samuel Huntington (1731–1796) of Connecticut had served with JA in the Continental Congress and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was governor from 1786 until his death ( DAB ).

That is, John Trumbull, JA’s friend and former law clerk.

Jonathan Trumbull Jr. (1740–1809), Harvard 1759, had been a U.S. representative from Connecticut from 1789 to 1795. He served in the Senate only until 1796, when he resigned to become lieutenant governor of the state ( Biog. Dir. Cong. ).

Fisher Ames represented the First Middle District—including Boston and surrounding towns—in Congress. He won reelection with a majority of votes in Boston as well as in several other communities in the area (same; Boston Federal Orrery, 6 Nov. 1794).