Adams Family Correspondence, volume 13

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 December 1798 Adams, Abigail Adams, John

Abigail Adams to John Adams

my Dearest Friend Quincy Decbr 31 1798

I cannot give you any account of Thomas I have sought for him by capt Jenkins. the Barbara which saild at the same time was a better vessel, well armd. mr smith thought it probable he would prefer her, as she was for Boston. I joind him in the same opinion, and was not a little distresst in the storm on saturday Evening to hear that she had been cast away on saturday morning near Salem, but at the same time I was assured no lives were lost. on sunday mor’g I sent to Town to be satisfied whether he came in the ship, but find that he did not. the vessel run upon the Rocks, but was soon off, with little damage. I know not how to account for his not comeing, in either of these vessels, unless he has taken his passage in some one for Philadelphia supposing it would save him a winters journey by Land, and that he should sooner meet his Parents. mr Smith writes me that there were several good armd vessels for the southward ready to sail at the same time, these were there.1 I cannot help feeling a daily anxiety upon his account

335

I am greatly pleasd with the address of the Legislature of Pensilvanna; it received as it deserved a Good answer. the notice taken in it of the inteference of individuals, in what the constitution alone places with the executive Authority, was quite unexpected; I thought it belongd to the National Representitives to have noticed it, and regreeted that they should feel so trameld, as to omit it. their answer is however calld the best, which any House have deliverd since the first establishment of the Constitution.2 the Jacobins certainly expected a recommendation from the President of a Declaration of War with France, and a closer union with great Britain, at least I judge so from the tennor of Chronical pecices—3 Logans Election in the Legislature will give the Jacobins a triumph, but I believe Mulingburgh would not have been a better choice— Logan seems more fool than Knave— it is thought the V P. stays away from very bad motives. I am told he is considered here as the Head of the opposition, to Government both in the old dominion and Kentucky. He is certainly acting a part, that he will find hard to justify;4

Dr Tufts informd me last week that Mott Vesey had offerd him that small peice of Land adjoing you, of 4 acres, for the moderate sum of 500 dollors— would you Chuse to Buy it? it will be put up at Auction if you do not take it. I heard Major Millar say, that John Newcomb, had offerd Mrs Vesey 400 for it. How rich our Quincy people are? If it should be sold at Auction, you will please to say whether you would have it bid for, and to what amount.5

The weather is fine to day can you get time to walk, or to Ride?

I am with the / tenderest affection / ever yours

A Adams—

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “President of the United / states / Philadelphia”; endorsed: “Mrs A. / Dec. 31. 98.”

Not found.

The Penn. house of representatives’ address and JA’s reply, for which see William Smith Shaw to AA, 20 Dec., and note 5, above, were printed in the Boston Russell’s Gazette, 31 December.

Throughout December the Boston Independent Chronicle printed essays on Franco-American relations. In addition to the piece by Democritus, for which see AA to Shaw, 23 Dec., and note 3, above, in the issue of 6–10 Dec., a satirical letter by “Benedict Arnold” alleged that an Anglo-American war against France would “connect closely America with the mother-Country” and “Once more will the British flag grace the shores of Columbia.” In the issue of 20–24 Dec., however, Benjamin Austin Jr. writing as Honestus argued that the United States was moving toward “that path for reconciliation,” and in that of 27–31 Dec. he added that “the pen of an ambassador, rather than the sword of a warrior, should bring the controversy to an happy issue.”

The Boston Russell’s Gazette, 24 Dec., identified Thomas Jefferson as the author of the Kentucky Resolutions and claimed that John Breckinridge had traveled to Virginia and returned to Kentucky with, “ready penned, the nine resolutions,” and asking: “Can we now be surprised at the opposition and industry of Jefferson, Gallatin, Logan, the Braken ridges of the mountain, and their numberless dupes, who have all their promised reward.”

336 5.

Mottram Veasey (1761–1825), the son of Ebenezer and Mary Miller Veasey, was a town clerk in Quincy (Sprague, Braintree Families ). See also JA to AA, 10 Jan. 1799, and AA to JA, 27 Feb., both below.

John Adams to Abigail Adams, 31 December 1798 Adams, John Adams, Abigail

John Adams to Abigail Adams

My Dearest Friend Philadelphia Decr 31. 1798

I hope you have health enough to bear to share with me some of my Griefs. I have determined to do a Thing this day, which puts my Phylosophy to a Tryal. The Lt Gen. and Major Generals have recommened Col Smith to the Command of a Regiment. This is a Degradation of him to which I would not consent, without his Consent. I have written to him hoping that he would forbid the nomination. But his Pride is humbled to that degree that he writes me he will accept. It would give me less Pain to follow him to the Grave: but I know not but he and his Connections would blame me, if I refused, and I have concluded to send in the nomination.1 His situation will be miserable, under the Command of his former equals and Inferiours. The Prejudices against him are such that I think it problematical whether the Senate will not again Negative him, and I am sure if they do it will give me no pain. If he has forfeited his Character for Integrity and Honor he ought not to have a Regiment: if he has not he deserves a Brigade, and more.— Happy Washington! happy to be Childless! My Children give me more Pain than all my Ennemies. If Smith has forfeited his Honor, I wish some kind friend would have given me the Facts and the Proof.— In such a Case I would not nominate him to be a Lt.— But no such fact or Proof has been presented to me.

There was not a Line of Recommendation of W. Smith to be Loan officer of N. Carolina. But if there had been many I could not have nominated him. There were as many Candidates as for the Treasury of the Mint and these among the most respectable Natives of the state.2

I long to hear of Thomas.— Providence has preserved your Family you say. Ay and in many more and much greater dangers at sea, than you have any Idea of. Why Should I distrust? I do not. I have been preserved, almost miraculously preserved, I hope for some good— and not merely to be punished with the Knowledge of the Disgrace of my Children. My Grand Children I see are destined to be the poorest Objects in the Community. Partly in Grief and partly in Indignation, I am your ever affectionate

J. A 337

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs A”; endorsed: “J A / December 31 / 1798.”

On 31 Dec. William Smith Shaw delivered to the Senate JA’s nominations for the augmented army regiments that had been authorized in July. Among the nominations was that of WSS for the position of lieutenant colonel in the infantry. The Senate confirmed the appointment on 7 Jan. 1799. The Philadelphia Aurora General Advertiser, 8 Jan., remarked that there were some Federalists who were reluctant to vote for WSS owing to his land speculation but did so because they were persuaded by northern senators and had been told that JA would resign if they did not (U.S. Senate, Exec. Jour. , 5th Cong., 3d sess., p. 298, 299, 303).

William Smith, AA’s nephew, previously sought an appointment as a revenue inspector in North Carolina, for which see vol. 12:xxiv–xxv, 422–424. On 24 Dec. 1798 JA nominated Sherwood Haywood to be commissioner of loans for North Carolina; Haywood was confirmed by the Senate on 26 Dec. (vol. 12:453, 454; U.S. Senate, Exec. Jour. , 5th Cong., 3d sess., p. 298). For Benjamin Rush’s appointment as treasurer of the U.S. Mint, see vol. 12:454.