Adams Family Correspondence, volume 12

Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams, 24 April 1797 Johnson, Louisa Catherine Adams, John Quincy
Louisa Catherine Johnson to John Quincy Adams
London April 24th 1797

I have recieved your letter of the 13th, my beloved friend, it is impossible to express the delight I experienced, when I read the welcome tidings it conveyed

yes my Dearest friend, should you find it practicable, I will with pleasure attend—you—my whole life shall be devoted to render you happy, and I trust in time, it will be in my power to convince you, that I am far from wishing to interrupt your studies, Too great an anxiety for your health induced me to write what has so much offended you, I have so often committed these faults lately, that whenever I write you, I feel a sort of fear, lest I should inadvertently repeat them

I will say no more on this subject my Adams, your letter conveyed such pleasing intelligence, I cannot dwell on the latter part of it— I only fear that something will happen to prevent our meeting, and I scarcely dare encourage the flattering hope, lest I should again be disappointed— I shewed my father that part of your letter, wherein you mention the probability of your return he told me he would write you by this opportunity

89

Ah my friend, it was in my last letter I said, that I was more reconciled to our lengthened seperation but the pleasure I now feel, fully convinces me how much I shall suffer, should we at last be doomed to seperate— my last disappointment has taught me to fear, and I find it almost impossible to check my apprehensions—

All the family desire to be remembered—

Farewell my best friend, believe me sincerely yours,

Louisa C. Johnson

RC (Adams Papers).

Hannah Quincy Lincoln Storer to Abigail Adams, 24 April 1797 Storer, Hannah Quincy Lincoln Adams, Abigail
Hannah Quincy Lincoln Storer to Abigail Adams
Boston April 24th.— 1797

I feel as if I were My worthy friend, Compel’d to write a few lines to you in this uncommon hour of distressing events that await you. Tho’ what you wished with respect to one of the deceased has happen’d—Yet Not the less affecting I am sure— Your Mind I think Must be freed from a Charge that Seem’d to dewell heavy upon you— when I last had the Satisfaction of Seeing You— at this Moment the World Seems dyeing around you—and as the following lines aptly speak My sentiments upon the Melancholy Accation—I hope to be excused from transcribing them.—

“Come friendship, with thy Sweetly-pleaseing power Teach Me to calm My dear lov’d Stella’s breast. Shed thy kind influence o’er the gloomy hour, And Sooth her every anxious care to rest. Tell her that providence, immensely kind, Through all events its guardian care extends; Nor can a real grief oppress her Mind But ev’n that grief unerring wisdom Sends. Oft, when imaginary woes oppress, A dark cloud rises, and we shrink with fear, Perhaps that very cloud is Meant to bless, And Shed rich comfort on the Coming Year The ways of providence, how kind! how wise! From Seeming ills what real good is born! Nor can the heart its blessings learn to prize That gay and thoughtless, Never knew to Mourn. 90 O May My Stella raise her wishes high! With warm devotion May her bosom glow! Pant for unmingled bliss beyond the Sky And thankful own the gifts enjoy’d below![]1

To the Amiable Louisa and her friends I wish every consolation in this hour of their Afflection, And with a Sympathetic heart petition that these light Afflections May Yeild them a far More exceeding and an eternal weight of Glory.

I hope My good friend has e’er this heard of the restored health of the President. and that amidest her present troubles, his want of health is Not to be added—

Tho’ our Social Circle here cannot be compleat without You My dear friend, Yet you have the warmest wishes of your friends that you May Soon join the partner of your joys and Sorrows, and by the Mutual exchange of each reap pleasures that cannot be procured while seprate.

Here Suffer Me to add, (however painful the Idea that I May Never See either of you again) My constant wishes will attend you through the Thorny Path—and flowery way, that each May as you ever have done—exhibit a pure example in every Situation worthy to be imitated by all that May be call’d to the like conspicuou[. . . .]

And Now dear Madam be asured [that] My best friend, with My Children, join me in offers of every Sentiment proper to be transmitted to the friends we So Much esteem.

And believe me as ever / Your Attached

Hannah Storer

P S The Young Ladies desire love to Miss Smith—2

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs A Adams. / Quincy”; internal address: “Mrs. Adams—”; endorsed: “Mrs Storer 24th / April 1797.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.

1.

Anne Steele, “To Silvia,” Miscellaneous Pieces, in Verse and Prose, by Theodosia, Bristol, Eng., 1780, p. 97–98.

2.

That is, Storer’s daughters—Hannah, Anna, and Susan—for whom see vol. 8:286.