Adams Family Correspondence, volume 13
Yesterday, Tuesday when the Levee Room began to be thin Brisler came running in, with the delightful sounds “Sir, Mr Adams is up Stairs.” I was not long in mounting the escalier and had the high Pleasure of embracing my dear son Thomas after an Absence of 364 four years & an half.— We had a very happy Evening and he has had a good nights rest after the fatigues of his Voyage & Journey. He seems in good health & is very little Altered in stature, shape or Feature. His Mind is well stored with Ideas and his Conversation entertaining. This Evening he goes with me to the Ball. I had rather Spend it with him at home.
Inclosed is a beautiful Morcell from the Minister. Worth Gold.— It is the best elucidation of the Character of the K. of Prussia that I have ever seen.1
Louisa I wish you were here to dance to night— I dont wish for your Aunt because One such Evening would kill her.
RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs A.”
JA likely sent JQA’s 25 Sept. 1798 letter to him, which had been carried by TBA. JQA reported on French relations with several European states. On Frederick William III, JQA wrote, “The king appears to be fully sensible of what the interest of his Country and his own requires, and turns an unremitted attention to the restoration of a severe discipline, and to the recovery of the pecuniary resources, the sinews of War— For both these purposes, Peace is absolutely necessary, and upon these grounds the pacific system of Prussia, so severely censured, and subject to such great and serious objections rests for its justification” (Adams Papers).
y.16. 1799.
I inclose a letter to my Mother under Cover to you, because it contains some things which perhaps might give pain to my father in his present weak state of health.1 You will be so kind therefore as to give it to my Mother in such a manner that she may have it in her power to communicate only such parts as she may think proper.
I am rejoiced to hear of your recovery from the dangerous illness
with which you have been afflicted. I have been too much occupied, and my mind too much
agitated, to improve the Liberty of writing to you with which your goodness has indulged
me. I have with the utmost anxiety, from time to time, received information of the state
of your health from my Mother—and I have added my prayers to those of thousands, for
it’s complete restoration. Mrs. Johnson has been for
sometime much indisposed. But I am apt to doubt sometimes whether it does not proceed
more from the anxiety of her mind, than any real bodily illness. The unsettled state of
Mr. Johnson’s affairs with respect to his late Partners,
the state of society in Georgetown, and the little troubles of housekeeping, where the
situation of things is so different from what it was in London have had an Effect 365 upon her spirits. However, I hope a few days will
determine all matters between Mr. J. & his partners—and
I have no doubt but the award of the Arbitrators will be in his favour. They are now
siting.—2
I hear that your son T.B.A is expected every day from Berlin. I am sorry that he undertook the voyage at so late a season, and am extremely anxious to hear of his safe arrival. I hope he will make a little excursion this way when he arrives— I have a chamber ready for him— And nothing could be of more real service to me than a few days conversation with him.
Nancy & the Children are well. I am with the most respectful
affection your grateful & obedt. servt. & [neph]ew
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs. A. Adams /
Quincy.—”; endorsed: “W Cranch / Janry 14 1799.” Some loss
of text where the seal was removed.
Cranch likely enclosed his 16 Jan. letter to Mary Smith Cranch in which he lamented that “personal quarrels” caused him to lead a “life of brawls and Contention” and discussed outstanding legal fees he hoped to recover during the year (MHi:Christopher P. Cranch Papers).
For Joshua Johnson’s expectation that his financial affairs would be settled by 1 Feb., see his letter to JQA, 1 Dec. 1798, and note 1, above.