Adams Family Correspondence, volume 10
bry23. 1794
I received your kind Letter last evening. I should be glad of two shares if you would part with them.1 I inclose 30 dollors for the first payment, but at the same time will content myself with one rather than be any disadvantage to you yet wish you not to sell to any other 87 person any share you may part with, should you determine to not to keep them. I would however advise you to keep as many as you can and was it not for the purchase of a Farm which your uncle made last fall I would get him to assist you, but he has been obliged to Borrow money himself—
as to the oatmeal I am sorry to have given you so much trouble about it. I will take it and you may take the half dollor from the inclosed. your sister Norten & Baby are just come to dine with me and are very well. Your Father has not been well since his return from Boston. he has been confind with one of his great Colds the rest are well affectionate Regards to your Aunt and Family from your / affectionate Aunt
RC (MaSaPEM:Abigail Adams Papers).
A letter from William Cranch to AA dating from this time has not been found, but on 20 Feb. he wrote to his father, Richard, regarding his investments in the Haverhill Toll Bridge, noting, “Mrs Adams wish’d me to reserve, some of them for her, but she had not determined how many—” After explaining the finances of the project, he requested, “If you think proper, you may show this letter to Mrs Adams (I have not time to write to her by this post) and let me know as soon as you can, what she can do and what she will do—” (MHi:Christopher Pearse Cranch Papers, Box 1). The bridge over the Merrimack River opened on 18 November. At the time, the Massachusetts Mercury, 21 Nov., reported, “The strength, elegance, workmanship, and situation of this Bridge, is not equalled in America, and perhaps not excelled in the world: It is 865 feet long, with thre Arches, 182 feet each in length, 34 feet wide, supported by Stone Piers and Abutments.”
The Birthday was celebrated Yesterday with as much Joy affection and Festivity as ever, and as it happened the New French Minister was then presented. Poor Genet I fear is undone— Bad as his Conduct has been I cannot but pity him. What will become of him I know not. The Name of his Successor is Fauchet.1 Gloomy as I was in expectation daily of afflicting News from home, I contented myself with paying my Respects to The President with the senate but I thought it would not become me to be present at the Ball of a saturday night, especially at a time when I could not get it out of my Thoughts that my venerable Parent might be closing her Eyes forever.
The Senate has been Several Days trying a contested Election of Mr Gallatin, with their Doors open. It is at length determined that a Gallery is to be built and our Debates public, at the next session of
88
Congress. What the Effect of this measure, which was at last carried by a great Majority, will be, I know not: but it cannot produce greater Evils than the Contest about it, which was made an Engine to render unpopular some of the ablest and most independent Members. some of the younger Members may descend from their Dignity so far perhaps as to court Popularity at the Expence of Justice Truth and Wisdom, by flattering the prejudices of the Audience but I think they will loose more Esteem than they will acquire by such means.
If my Mother still lives present her my Duty and tender sympathy under her Affliction.
I am with every tender sentiment / yours forever
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs Adams”; endorsed: “Febry. 23. 1794.”
Jean Antoine Joseph Fauchet (1761–1834) served as the French minister plenipotentiary to the United States from Feb. 1794 to April 1795 (
Repertorium,
3:144).