Adams Family Correspondence, volume 11
I have just now received, my dearest friend, your letter of the 15th: of last month,1 since which I hope you have before now received two from me; and would to Heaven, they could have been such as would have been more conformable to our mutual inclinations, or that I could now give you tidings more agreeable for me to communicate or for you to receive.— Instead of which a Letter from America, which has this morning come to me, and dated on the 28th: of September, still enjoins upon me to remain [here and] makes it probable that I shall not remove, at least for several months to come.2 [. . . .]3 America, that I must hope for the completion of that union which we both [. . . .] wish, and I confidently hope that a greater distance and a longer time of separation, than we had contemplated, will have no more effect upon your affection, than I am sure it will upon mine.— Let us consider it as one of those counterchecks in the affairs of life, which happen to all, which all must endure whether they will or not, and in which acquiescence is at once a necessity and a consolation.— Be assured at the same time, my lovely friend, that no length of time nor of space, can have access to the heart of the man you love, to weaken his attachment to you.
I have hitherto given you with freedom and sincerity my sentiments, with regard to our common interests and concerns. I have never believed that you would take in ill part what was so well intended, and what I should be so happy to receive in return from you. Between you and me, Louisa, an intercourse of advice and reflection founded upon a mutual unsuspecting confidence is not merely proper; it is in my mind a reciprocal duty. Your assurance therefore that you value the observations I have made gives me the most heart-felt satisfaction, and be assured that I shall always highly value yours.
I have been absent about a week from the Hague, on a visit to this place, and expect to return to-morrow. Wherever I go, your 435 image keeps me constant company, and every where, I feel the same vacancy for want of the reality. I never was much delighted with what are called the pleasures of Society, but at present they have less attractions for me than ever: I participate in them therefore only so far as I find it absolutely necessary, and make myself as often as possible a solitude, to enjoy at least, undisturbed the remembrance of you.
I have lately seen here Mr: Calhoun, the Gentleman with the fine teeth, whom I met at your house last Winter, when your friend Mr: Maury was there.4 Mr: Calhoun has since then been to America, and has very lately returned. He is going in a few days to London, where he will no doubt have the happiness to see you.— It seems to me that every person with whom I have been in company when you were present, derives from thence a sort of merit, in my eyes when I meet him now. There is a kind of reflected cha[rm over ev]ery object that naturally brings your recollection to the mind. I remember still [. . . .]5 pleasure I saw two or three months ago, my old friend, Mr: Foster, on this account among [. . . .] suppose you have seen him since his return to England.—6 How is your good friend and mine, Coll: Trumbull?— I suppose you will smile at seeing his name here.— He would smile too if he knew how I once, as Yorick says thought him a Turk or a Jew—Curs’d him by my Gods—Wish’d him at the D—— innocent as he was of all I feared; but his Peace with me has long been made, and is in no danger of being ever interrupted again.7
The Weather is shivering cold, and the wind reminds me of the times when we used to walk round or across the park: this brings me to the remembrance of our rides there, and this again to Caroline. Why to her particularly, you say?— She will know, if her memory is as good as her Spirits. I am thinking of making up a little collection of fine large-sounding guttural Dutch adjurations for her use, to improve upon her English stock. I cannot promise so good a store of puns for Nancy.— Your Dutch language is good for nothing at a pun. Two senses to the same word would be a kind of prodigality, and if you should hear it talk’d you would think one is more than enough.
I finish my letter at the Hague, where I returned yesterday through a number of snow-storms. We have already had more Winter than there was in the whole course of the last Season.— Remember me 436 affectionately to your Mamma and Sisters, and believe me to be, invariably your’s
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Miss L. C. Johnson / London.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.
On 15 Nov. LCA wrote JQA a hasty note saying it had been a month since his last letter to her. She also reassured JQA that the advice he offered her did not cause offence but rather was welcomed (Adams Papers).
Timothy Pickering to JQA, 28 Sept., in which Pickering asked that JQA begin laying the groundwork for a treaty between the United States and the Netherlands that the president could use to “propose to the Senate the appointment of a minister with full powers to complete the negociation, in case you should previously remove to Lisbon.” Pickering continued, “The reasons for suspending that removal, which I suggested in my letter which informed you of your appointment to that station, still exist” (Adams Papers). For Pickering’s earlier instructions to JQA, see CA to JA, 4 June, and note 2, above.
About three words missing.
James Maury (1746–1840), originally a merchant from Fredericksburg, Va., was serving as U.S. consul at Liverpool (Washington, Papers, Presidential Series, 3:345; 4:149).
About three words missing.
Bossenger Foster Jr. traveled in 1796 to Europe, where he spent several years representing his family’s speculation interests in Dutch property and British-owned land in the United States. JQA socialized with Foster several times in London between January and April and also received a visit from him at The Hague in September (Lauren B. Hewes, Portraits in the Collection of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass., 2004, p. 157–159; D/JQA/24, 14 Jan., 4 April, 7 Sept., APM Reel 27).
A reference to Laurence Sterne, A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy. By Mr. Yorick, 2 vols., London, 1768, 1:41. For John Trumbull’s alleged interest in LCA and JQA’s jealousy thereof, see LCA, D&A, 1:33, 37, 40.
br:6
th1796
Agreable to my promise of the 29th of writing to my beloved friend once a week I now contrary to etiquette enter upon the pleasant occupation—
Surely you will acknowledge—when I tell you you are indebted to me four letters I have amply compensated for my former omission— I have vainly expected to hear from you but the winds are unfavorable in a word every thing seems to conspire— I will only say to teach me patience
There are I find two Mails due Oh may they prove auspicious to my wishes in bringing me letters—
I will not mention the subject which has caused our mutual uneasiness lest it give you pain— I have promised to exert fortitude and will endeavour to fulfill that promise reason tells me I shall at least acquire resignation if not happiness—
Never my beloved friend let my weakness lessen your affection for 437 me but write to me constantly and if possible teach my rebellious heart gently to acquiesce without murmering— Adieu think of me often and believe me with unalterable affection yours
RC (Adams Papers).
LCA still had not heard from JQA by the following week. In a letter dated 13 Dec., she again complained about this lapse and apologized for her letter-writing abilities (Adams Papers).