Adams Family Correspondence, volume 13

Abigail Adams to William Smith, 28 December 1798 Adams, Abigail Smith, William

Abigail Adams to William Smith

Dear sir Quincy December 28 1798

I inclose you the Letter which gave me every reason to expect that Thomas was on Board Capt Jenkins.1 as he is not mentiond, and I have not heard any thing, I am fearfull he did not come. perhaps capt Jenkins may know in what vessel he took his passage it is very painfull to be daily expecting a Friend, at this Season of the year. one cannot help having much anxiety

The conduct of Dr W h is really unaccountable. why cannot he honorably deliver up as requested, mr Adams’s buisness into the hands of Dr Tufts. I have a feeling for him, and for his Family which renders it very painfull for me to say to him what his conduct really merrits. can you inform me how many shares mr Adams owns? how long since any assessments were paid? whether if I advance the money to pay them, I can have a Receit sufficient, without having the shares in possession? if you will give me information and undertake the transaction for me, I will remitt the money to you; I cannot bear the poor fellow Should be plunderd by every one, in whom he has placed confidence— a Letter in which mr Adams says he has written me fully upon the subject, has unfortunately never reachd me, but I hope Thomas will arrive in a few days— can I be warranted in requesting that no more House Rent may be pay’d untill mr Adams gives orders to whom?

We have very fine weather, but the sleying is gone for the present and the Banks will not allow of wheels

I have just seen mr Brooks passing and have haild him to take my Letter which I must close this moment;2

yours affectionatly

A Adams—3 329

RC (MHi:Smith-Townsend Family Papers); addressed: “Mr William Smith / merchant / Boston”; endorsed: “Quincy 28 Decr. 98 / AAdams—”

TBA to JA, 15 Oct., for which see TBA to JA, 27 Oct., and note 1, above.

Probably Peter Chardon Brooks (1767–1849).

AA wrote again to Smith on 30 Dec. repeating her request for information on TBA’s arrival and commenting further on JQA’s affairs (MHi:Smith-Townsend Family Papers).

William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 28 December 1798 Shaw, William Smith Adams, Abigail

William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams

Philadelphia Dec 28th. 1798 Fryday Evening My dear Aunt

Not a single letter have we received from you since Monday. Uncle sighs and says, I wish Aunt would write oftener and I sigh and say, Ah! if she knew half the happiness her letters gave to ~~you~~ us, I am sure she would write every day in the week.

Congress debates have been warm and interesting for two days past on Mr. Griswolds motion respecting punishing interferences in the government &c. but it is decided in our favor sixty five to twenty three. Gallatin was very lengthy but I could not understand scarcely a word he said—this mortified me not a little.1 What! exclaimed I, am I here present before the Legislature of my Country and shall there be an individual, who speaks in such a broken language, that I can not understand him? Don’t you think, Aunt, Gallatin, when he began in life adopted the resolution of King Richard.— “Since I am not shaped for sportive tricks, nor made to court an amorous looking glass—I that am rudely stamped &c. &c am determined to prove a villain—have sworn to be subtle false and treachorous.”2

Yesterday we had a second great dinner & twenty eight gentlemen to dine. We had no levy tuesday, christmas. In one of your letters to me, you ask how I succeed in these publick days? You should have asked the president and not me, for you may be certain I never will say any thing against myself.

I feel woried about my mother. I have not had a letter from her since I arrived here, & I begin to be afraid that she is sick. We have had a great thaw and the snow is almost gone. I dont remember a severer winter at the Eastward, than we have had here this season.

Please to remember me affectionately to all and believe me to be / your &c

I send you with this letter, a large bundle, but not of newspapers.

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “W S shaw 28 / December 1798.”

330 1.

On 26 Dec., in response to Dr. George Logan’s unauthorized mission to France, Connecticut representative Roger Griswold called for a committee to consider amending the Sedition Act to include the “interference” of private citizens in U.S. diplomatic affairs. The resolution, as well as the larger implications of Logan’s actions, were debated on 27 and 28 December. Robert Goodloe Harper led Federalist support, arguing that the resolution would prevent domestic factions, acting in their own interest, from harming national foreign policy. He also argued that Logan’s mission was motivated by the views and goals of the Democratic-Republican Party rather than simply a zeal for peace. Albert Gallatin and John Nicholas led the response, arguing that the language of the resolution was too vague and opposing the expansion of executive power. They also voiced the belief that uncritical support of the government was more to be feared than devotion to France. The vote described by Shaw approved Griswold’s resolution, and a resulting bill was taken up on 9 Jan. 1799. It was passed in a 58 to 36 vote by the House on 17 Jan., and an 18 to 2 vote by the Senate on 25 January. On 30 Jan. JA signed into law what became known as the Logan Act, making it a crime for a U.S. citizen to “commence, or carry on, any verbal or written correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government, or any officer or agent thereof” without authorization ( Annals of Congress , 5th Cong., 3d sess., p. 2205–2206, 2488–2489, 2493–2546, 2583–2648, 2677–2682, 2686–2721; U.S. Statutes at Large , 1:613).

Shakespeare, King Richard III, Act I, scene i, lines 14–16, 30, 37.