Adams Family Correspondence, volume 12
This is the first Day of March, and I have no Letters from you of a later date than the 11th of Feb’ry. and then only a few lines.1 Several things which I have written to upon, and which I wish for directions before I proceeded to execute, are I suppose lost and forgotten by upon, in the Multitude of Your Thoughts. I must proceed with the advise of Dr Tufts, for whom I have this day sent, in order to consult with him. Vintons time is near out. there is an apprizement of the stock which must be made & he allowd for a quarter part of their increased value. a mate is to be procured for the ox we lost. I tell French he ought to buy it, as he expects a further indulgence with the team. he pleads that he is not able. I like French so well, and he seems disposed to conduct honorably that I think it had best be done. I believe I wrote you that I had hired a Young Man, for a Month, a son of Samll Bracket who went from this Town Some Years ago;2 he is very capable of Business but holds himself very high, so that I do not expect to agree for more than the present Month. Billings has had an other Caper of a week long I fear he will not do to hire again after his period expires. he is now comeing out of it. I shall be a better judge of the Qualities of Bracket at the expiration of a Month. he is large and Stout used to a team, of a good Stock himself, brought up to labour hard, and is now sought after by several persons for the Season, but gold may be bought too dear— prices are not setled untill April & May.
I yesterday sent for Mears and gave him my proposals in writing. the chief objection he offerd was, that being in a setled way of Business by which he must get his future living, he should lose his old custom, which would make it difficult for him to obtain it again. 2 to obviate that difficulty I promised to Build him a shop, he to furnish the tools himself coal & Iron to the halves, and to receive half the profits. in Winter he could be pretty constant in it. he has the proposals under consideration, which whether he accepts or not he has promised to keep secreet, but I am more & more convinced that he is the only Person to put here.3
We had as I expected a very splendid Birth Day, an account of which you will see in the paper.4 His Honours politeness led him to stay untill he had conducted & seated me at the supper table. he however escaped as soon after as he could.5 I do the Managers but Justice when I say, I never saw an assembly conducted with so much order regularity & propriety. I had every reason to be pleased with the marked respect and attention Shewn me. Col Bradford, who is really the Beau Nash of ceremonies even Marshalld his company, and like the Garter King at Arms calld them over as they proceeded into the Grand saloon, hung with the prostrate Pride, of the Nobility of France.6 Swan had furnishd them with a compleat set of Gobelin Tapresty.7 as the Ladies only could be Seated at Table with about 20 or 30 of the principle Gentlemen the rest were requested to retire to the Boxes untill the Ladies had Supped. when they left the Table & took their seats in the Boxes whilst the Gentlemen sup’d, all was order and decency. about half after one, the company returnd to the Ball Room, and I retired with those who accompanied me to the Ball. most of the rest of company remaind untill 4 oclock. neither the Govenour or Lady or Mrs Gill were present. the only person who shewd that they felt mortified & placed in the back ground, was Mrs Scott. how could she expect any thing else? the seat assignd to the Lady of the President Elect was Hung with Gobeline Tapestry, and in the center of the Room, conspicuous only for the hanging. on my Right the Manager placed the Lady of Judge Lowel, and on my Left the Lady of Judge Sumner.8 Judge Dana, but not his Lady was present. when I was conducted into the Ball Room, the Band were orderd to play the President March.9 the Toast were only 6 in Number. I presume you will see them in the paper. have the Philadelphians behaved as well? every toast save one, made the Saloon resound with an universal Clap, and a united huza. that was the Vice President Elect. I was sorry it was so cold and faint.10
The scripture assures us, that it is better to go to the House of mourning than the House of Feasting11 previous to my attendance 3 at the Ball Room, I performd the last office of respect to the remains of your Aunt Vesey, by following her to the Grave. I received notice of her death but the day before12 I considered this as a Duty which I owed to your Mother, and I found it a very acceptable notice to the Relatives. at six oclock I returnd to mr smiths, and prepaird for a different scene, not without reflections upon the visisitudes of Life.
I see by the paper your address of leave to the senate.13 I do not wonder that you was affected upon the occasion. The Chronical, I am told, assures all good Republicans that they ought to rejoice in your Election, first because you was opposed to the British Treaty, 2dly because you are not Enimical to France, 3d because you are no party man and will have an oppinion of your own, fourthly because Hamilton Secreetly opposed your Election, and 5ly because you and the Vice President will harmonize— Wonderfull Discoveries.! and much of a peice with all their late publications.14
I see there has been an arrival at N york from Amsterdam. I hope Dispatches from our sons have arrived15
present me kindly to the Vice President when he arrives, and if you think it will do, tell him I am glad that he is your successor. I shall now take my leave of the Vice President, and address my next Letters to the President, whom neither Rank or station can more permanantly fix in the Heart of His / ever affectionate
RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “Mrs A. March 1. / Ansd 11. 1797.”
For a summary of JA’s letter to AA, 11 Feb. (Adams Papers), see vol. 11:554.
Samuel Brackett (1741–1826) relocated from Braintree to Peterborough, N.H., in the 1780s. His second son, John (b. 1775), was probably the farmhand AA hired (Herbert I. Brackett, Brackett Genealogy Descendants of Anthony Brackett of Portsmouth and Captain Richard Brackett of Braintree, Part 2, Washington, D.C., 1907, p. 543; Sprague, Braintree Families
).
For AA’s suggestion that George Mears become the overseer at Peacefield, see vol. 11:517, 527, 565.
For AA’s attendance at the Boston ball celebrating George Washington’s birthday, see same, 11:566–567. Boston newspapers reporting on the festivities included the Columbian Centinel, 25 Feb. 1797, and the Boston Price-Current, 27 February.
That is, Lt. Gov. Moses Gill.
Lt. Col. Samuel Bradford (1759–1818) was marshal for the district of Massachusetts as well as commander of the Independent Company of Cadets, the parade escort for Massachusetts governors. AA’s comparison of Bradford to Beau Nash was a reference to Richard Nash (1674–1761), long the master of ceremonies and arbiter of fashionable society at Bath, England (
Doc. Hist. Supreme Court
, 6:184; Samuel Bradford Jr., Some Incidents in the Life of Samuel Bradford, Senior, by His Son, Phila., 1880, p. 12–13, 15, 16;
DNB
).
The Gobelin factory in Paris, established in 1662 as the state-sponsored manufacturer of decorative arts, became especially well known for its tapestries (Oxford Art Online).
Elizabeth Hyslop had married Increase Sumner in 1779 (
DAB
).
For the President’s March, see Descriptive List of Illustrations, No. 11, above.
Reports of the Boston celebrations of Washington’s birthday appeared in the Philadelphia Gazette of the United States and American Daily Advertiser, 7 March 1797. Similar to news reports in Boston, descriptions failed to include the toasts offered at the Federal Street Theater. For the Philadelphia festivities, see vol. 11:575–576.
Ecclesiastes, 7:2.
Jerusha Boylston Veasey, for whom see vol. 8:246, died on 19 February. Notice of her death appeared in the Massachusetts Mercury, 21 Feb., and in the Boston Columbian Centinel the following day.
For JA’s 15 Feb. address upon taking leave from the Senate, see vol. 11:575, 576. The Boston Price-Current and Boston Independent Chronicle were the first to reprint the speech on 27 Feb.; it appeared in the Boston Columbian Centinel on 1 March.
The Boston Independent Chronicle, 27 Feb., reprinted a piece from the New York Journal, 18 Feb., claiming that “the republicans are well satisfied with the election of Mr. Adams” and, in addition to the reasons stated by AA, that JA would “distribute public office, among men of probity and talents, and not select those only who may approve of his administration.”
On 27 Feb. the Boston Price-Current reported the arrival of the ship Three Friends, Capt. Sherry, from Amsterdam at New York between 17 and 20 February. For the letters it carried, see
AA to JA, 12 March, and note 1, below.
d1797
Two vessels are notified, one for England, the other for Hamburgh. I will write by both, but the pleasure and freedom of communication, is much damp’d by the restraints of Station, and the apprehension of Capture.1
It is now several Months since I took my pen to address you. I believe my last date was in December. I have since written largly to Thomas, but fear my Letter is still waiting a conveyance.2
Tomorrow the 4th of march, the Government devolves upon the new President, and may he have firmness of Mind, and Health of Body, to enable him, to support himself under the weight, of perplexing cares, and arduous Duties which are anexed to it.
The President in reply to an address presented to him on his Birth Day by the officers and Militia of Pensilvana, says, “the Patriotism uprightness and abilities of him who is to succeed to the station I now have the honour to hold, will leave you no room to regreet my retirement”3
Your Charming and affectionate Letter of Novbr. 14th arrived safe after a passage of 99 days. as your Father had written me more than once, expressing an anxiety to hear from you, as soon as I had read it, I inclosed it to him, as the greater part of it was a private confidential Letter; when I sent it to him, I had not a thought of its being communicated. he returnd it to me by the last post, and says “it is
5
the most beautifull thing he ever read. I could not withhold it from the P.”4 nor can I my Dear son regreet it, for it was returnd with the following, which I must risk communicating. who shall say, that virtue is not its own reward? I will lay up the original as a precious Deposit for your posterity—
ry20 1797
I thank you for giving me the perusal of the inclosed— the sentiments do honour to the Head and Heart of the writer and if my wishes would be of any avail, they should go to you with a Strong hope that you will not withold merited promotion from mr J Q Adams, because he is your Son, for without intending to Compliment the Father or the Mother, or to censure any others, I give it as my decided opinion that mr Adams is the most valuable publick Character we have abroad, and there remains no doubt in my mind that he will prove himself to be the ablest of all our diplomatic Corps, if he was now to be brought into that line, or into any other publick walk. I could not upon the principle which has regulated my own conduct dissaprove of the Caution which is hinted at in the Letter. But he is already enterd— the publick more and more as he is known, are appreciating his talents and Worth, and his Country would sustain a loss if these were to be checked by over Delicacy on Your part.
With sincere esteem and affectionate Regard I am ever Yours—
I see the gratefull, the tender emotion of Your Heart filling your Eyes upon the perusal of this testimony of approbation from the first of Characters. I know you too well to fear any Ebulitions of vanity on the occasion. how different would my Sensations have been, if in your publick Character, I had learnt, or heard, that you had departed from the example, or sullied the Character, of him whose Successor you are. persevere my son and be the ornament and Glory of your Country, and the Solace and comfort of the declining Years of Your Parents.
our publick affairs, as they respect the conduct of our Allies towards us, wear an unpleasent aspect. America is rousing from that delirium of enthusiasm, which has enveloped her ever since the revolution of France commenced. judgment and not justice, is dealt out to us. how much by our blind adulation we have merited the punishment, is not for me to say.
6Tom Paynes Letter to the President has greatly Served the cause of Liberty and Religion.6 even the Jacobins are ashamed of him. he is considerd as an apostate an out cast. like Cain there is a Mark sit upon him. he is accursed on the Earth,
I will send you the secretary of states answer to Adets Note.8 you will find it a full and explicit answer to all the complaints and charges exhibited by Adet, and his predecessors—
Your Friends are all well and desire to be affectionatly rememberd to you. Boston shone on the late Birth Night an Elegant Ball, 200 50 Ladies present, and a Magnificent Supper. all was order, and Decorum. Col Bradford, our Beau Nash principally presided as master of Ceremonies. you know he is admirably calculated for such occasions. the Theatre was converted by a platform across the Pitt, into an Elegant Saloon, hung with the prostrate pride of the Nobility of France. mr Swan on the occasion furnished a compleat Set of Gobelin Tapestry hangings, which took all the upper Boxes in. Three Tables extended from one end of the House to the stage, at which 200 & 50 Ladies and about 30 Gentlemen were at one time accommodated. the rest of the Gentlemen took their seats in the Boxes whilst the Ladies Sup’d 600 dishes fancifully displayd and decorated with ornamental Lights made a very pleasing view. The Ladies in their turn filld the Boxes and the Gentlemen took their seats at table. under the orchestra was placed a crimson Canopy in which was a portrait of the President. the opposite view, as a stage scene was an Equesterian Statue of the same illusturious personage all Hearts appeard to be gratified and every person to vie with his Neighbour in expression of Love Gratitude and veneration for this truly Great Man. The writer, and witness of this scene, was you may be sure no unfeeling spectator. every mark of respect and attention was shewn her, which propriety admitted, or Decency required.
adieu my Dear son. our good Friend mrs Welch is just come to Peace Field, (the Name Your Father has given to his Farm) to pass a week with me. she request me to give her Love to you. Charlot is grown a fine Girl, and Harriot is improved greatly. many of your old Friends and acquaintance inquired kindly after you on the Birth Night. Some were introduced to me whom I did not before know, With the claim of your acquaintance. Dr Clark is always particular. the old Club recollet you with affection9
7I make no appology for entertaining you with these domestic occurrences, to bring home to your remembrance scenes in which you once delighted, cannot fail in a mind like yours to excite pleasing sensations, for I judge of yours, by the feelings of your ever affectionate Mother
RC (Adams Papers); endorsed by JQA: “Mrs: A. Adams. / 3. March. 1797. / May do: recd:”; and by TBA: “26 June answd.” Tr (Adams Papers).
The bring Lydia was advertised for departure to Hamburg, while the London-bound vessel was likely the ship America, Capt. Solomon Swain, which arrived in London by 19 May.
AA’s second letter to JQA
was dated 15 March, below (Massachusetts Mercury, 3, 7 March; London Lloyd’s List, 19 May).
No letters from AA to JQA dated Dec. 1796 have been found. AA’s previous extant letter to JQA, dated 28 Nov. and for which see vol. 11:420–424, exists only as a Dft. Her previous extant letter to TBA is dated 21 Feb. 1797, for which see same, 11:571–574.
On 22 Feb. the “Militia of the City and County of Philadelphia” presented an address to George Washington thanking him for his military and public service and wishing him well in his retirement: “Great as our confidence is in your successor, we cannot but lament the resolution you have taken to resign the helm.” Washington’s reply thanked the troop for their praise and, as AA accurately quoted, voiced his support for JA as his successor (Philadelphia Gazette of the United States, 22 Feb.).
For JQA’s letter to AA of 14 Nov. 1796 and its arrival in Boston, see vol. 11:404–408, 555, 556. AA received the letter on 9 Feb. 1797 and enclosed it in a letter to JA on the same day (Adams Papers). JA’s comments about JQA’s letter derive from his reply to AA of 20 Feb., for which see vol. 11:567.
Washington to JA, 20 Feb. (Adams Papers).
For Thomas Paine’s Letter to George Washington, see vol. 11:431, 432.
“Thy name shall like thy carcass rot, / In sickness spurn’d, in death forgot” (Edward Moore, Fable XIV, “The Sparrow, and the Dove,” lines 303–304, Fables for the Female Sex, London, 1744).
For the public correspondence between French minister to the United States Pierre Auguste Adet and Timothy Pickering, see vol. 11:400, 541–542. Here, AA referred to Pickering’s letter to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, which addressed Adet’s accusations and was subsequently published in pamphlet form in several U.S. cities, including Letter from the Secretary of State to Charles C. Pinckney, Esq. in Answer to the Complaints of the French Minister against the Government of the United States, N.Y., 1797, Evans, No. 33063. AA sent the pamphlet to JQA in care of Joshua Johnson, to whom she wrote on 15 March, below.
AA was likely referring to the Wednesday Evening Club, for which see vol. 6:355.