Adams Family Correspondence, volume 12
th1797
I have recieved your letter of the 6 which gave me infinite satisfaction your approbation love and esteem being my greatest ambition and delight—
My father talks of embarking early in July and preparations are
making for our removal—1 I almost wish
the time was arrived— though I know the advantages resulting from it, to the whole
family, I cannot help regreting the necessity, of our renewed seperation however I know it must be, my friend, and though a kind of
forced philosophy, I endeavor to be contented—
I presume Mr. Humphrys does not regret
his detension at Lisbon, as it certainly must be more agreeable to him, to remain some
time with his Lady’s family, after his marriage, than to quit the Country
immediately—2
I have lately been reading Lord Chesterfields letters to his Son,3 and think them very good, though he does mention the Ladies with so much severity—I cannot say I admire his sentiments altogether, they were written by a courtier, and addressed to one whom he intended should be the same. therefore I am not able to judge how proper such sentiments may be in such a situation— I dare say you have read them, and I should like to hear your opinion—
All the family desire to be remembered, and my father wishes to know, if you would have any letters, he may recieve for you, forwarded by the Mails, as he says they sometimes remain with him a considerable time, for want of private opportunities—
Present my respects to your brother, and be assured, I shall invariably remain, your tenderly attached,
RC (Adams Papers).
The Johnson family would not depart until 9 Sept.; for details of their travels, see vol. 11:275. Upon their arrival, the Johnson family lived in Georgetown, D.C., for which see William Cranch to AA, 21 Nov., and to JQA, 5 March 1798, both below.
For Ann Frances Bulkeley Humphreys, see vol. 9:395.
Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of
Chesterfield, Letters Written by the Late Right Honourable
Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, to His Son, Philip Stanhope,
first published in 2 vols., London, 1774.
d.1797
Last night for the first time I slept in our new House.— But what a Scene! The Furniture belonging to the Publick is in the most deplorable Condition— There is not a Chair fit to sit in. The Beds and Bedding are in a woeful Pickle. This House has been a scene of the most scandalous Drunkenness and Disorder among the servants, that ever I heard of. I would not have one of them for any Consideration. There is not a Carpet nor a Curtain, nor a Glass nor Linnen nor China nor any Thing.1 Dont expose this Picture.
This morning I recd your favours of
March 12 and 13th.— I am highly pleased with your Criticisms
and Observations on my Adieus to the Senate, their Answer and my Reply. Before now you
have a long Speech, which I hope you will descant on as learnedly and ingeniously.
As to the farms I must leave all to you and Dr Tufts. Let Trask clear all the Bushes in Curtis’s Pasture. I want to have
clean Work made there. You have not mentioned My Mares nor Colts— Are the Mares in a Way
to breed Us Horses?
I have procured five Horses, which with my little fellow at home, will be all I shall keep.
As to Public affairs all is Suspence at present— Nothing can be determined till further and more Authentic Accounts arrive.
I never wanted your Advice & assistance more in my Life.— My Country will not always oblige her Public Men to make Brick without Straw— As soon as I shall be out of the Question, their Presidents will go on Swimmingly whoever lives to See it. But it is wicked to complain.
I have not been able to receive any Company. And the House will not be fit for some time.
I am with all Affection and / ardent Wishes for your Society
RC (Adams
Papers); internal address: “Mrs A”; endorsed:
“March 22 / 1797.”
In February George Washington made an inventory of goods—both
public and private—in the presidential mansion in Philadelphia. About the condition of
the furnishings he wrote: “Nothing herein has been said relatively to the Table
Linnen, Sheeting, 45 China and Glass-ware which was furnished at the
expence of the United States; because they have been worn out, broken, stolen and
replaced (at private expence) over & over again.” He also noted that “except a few
of the most durable articles” none of the kitchen furnishings remained and that “the
Carpets also are entirely worn out.—all on the floors, at present, have been purchased
on private account.” In a letter to Washington of 15 March, Tobias Lear described the
condition of the house, “now preparing for the President … everything will be in as
good order as it can be put.” Lear further described the results of a public auction
of some of the furnishings in which “The Lustres—Stoves & other fixtures in the
House will be taken by the President at cost or a fair valuation. There is nothing to
be sold of the public furniture.” On 20 March Lear further reported to Washington that
the house had been vacated on the 18th but that it would be “some days yet before Mr
Adams can take up his own residence in it as they are
putting new Carpets on the floors and talk of having the Rooms painted,” neither of
which appears to have happened (DLC:
George Washington Papers, 1741–1799, Series 4, General Correspondence, 1697–1799; Washington, Papers,
Retirement Series
, 1:37, 38).