Adams Family Correspondence, volume 13

Stephen Peabody to Abigail Adams, 30 May 1798 Peabody, Stephen Adams, Abigail
Stephen Peabody to Abigail Adams
Dear Madam Atkinson May 30th. 1798

Your letters of the 18th. of last December, and the 4th. of March following, with the contents, came safe to my hand.1 I should have acknowledged the receipt of them sooner, but I have been “Cumbered about many things2 and knowing that your Sister had informed you of their safe arrival, I have neglected to write answers. Tho’ this is but a poor apology, it is the best I can make, consistent with truth.—

I send you, accompanying this, your grand-children’s three first quarter bills. You will see that I have received more money, than to pay their expences. But this shall be accounted for upon our Settlement. They enjoy very good health, and appear as contented, as could possibly be expected. They recommend themselves to their Preceptor, and are quite attentive to the rules of our family.— William is pretty attentive to his Studies; John has no aversion to study; he had however, rather play, and is a good, Sensible, generous Soul. 76 We indulge them as we think proper, and they are not now impatient under restraints. At first they were not fond of observing the Sabbath, in all respects, as we do, but they are reconciled; and we think bid very fair to make respectable figures in life.—

Your Sister, (who I esteem the best woman in the world) enjoys tolerable health, tho’ she has of late been full of anxiety for her daughter Betsy Quincy, who really is very unwell—but I think a little better, and in a way to recover.—

We have no news remarkable here but that which we find in the Papers. The conduct of the French astonishes every person of Sense, in our quarter; and the wisdom and firmness of the President of the united States, meet with universal approbation. You will please to present my best respects to him, and in my name, wish him Godspeed; that by perseverance, he may direct our political Ship over the Present boisterous Sea, that we may in due time be anchored in a peaceful Haven.—

With Sentiments of high esteem, / I am / dear madam / Your affectionate friend, / and brother

Stephen Peabody

P S— Mrs. Peabody joins me in presenting our best regards.—

A few days since I received, a number of Pamphlets, with a letter from you to Mrs. Peabody; for which I am much obliged. I have not had time to read them all, but as far as I have proceeded, I am highly pleased—3

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs. Abigail Adams / Philadelphia”; endorsed: “Mr Peabody the / 30 May 1798.”

1.

AA’s letters to Peabody have not been found, although in her letter of 18 Dec. 1797 AA enclosed funds to pay for the care and education of her grandsons (vol. 12:329, 367).

2.

Luke, 10:40–41.

3.

Not found.

Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, 1 June 1798 Adams, Abigail Cranch, Mary Smith
Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch
My dear sister Philadelphia June 1 1798

I was indeed greatly afflicted by the contents of your last Letter.1 I received it yesterday, and having a large party of Ladies and Gentlemen to dine, I felt but Little spirit to receive or entertain them. I did not communicate it to the President untill the Evening, when he insisted upon it, that I had some dissagreable News which had affected my spirits, so least he should suppose it greater or of a different kind, I told him. he most Sincerely participates with the distresset family. It hurts him, as you know all, & every thing which afflicts his 77 Friends does. I have all anxiety for our worthy Friend mr smith, least he should be materially afficted by it. his loss by mr Greenleef was very heavey. like his Father, he is the Friend in secreet, as well as openly, and his own troubles he surpresses.2 I fear mr JQA must be a sufferer. I know he left his little all in the drs Hands— he has since his absence directed his Brother Charles to draw upon him for a sum; I do not exactly know how must & vest it in real estate; this he did, but afterwards was prevaild upon to let it go—& what security he now has I know not. knowing the Family difficulties, and that it is a hard thing to keep clear of them, I got some knowledge from a Quarter which I dared not disclose, that the property was in Jeopardy. I then wrote to mr JQA, advising him to employ dr Tufts in future as his Agent. he then wrote me that he had written to dr Welch to lay out his property in a freehold in Boston; I know not what to do. I believe I had better write to Charles, and if I find he has the property secure, to hold it untill he can hear from his Brother—3

The longer we live in the world, the more do troubles thicken upon us, yet we hug the fleeting shadow. have you heard from Haverhill or rather Atkinson? I am anxious for Betsy Q Shaw. I think a change of air might be good for her—

I am glad to learn that the buisness goes on so rapidly at Quincy. I do expect to see it, the beginning of July. I fear not Sooner— pray desire mrs Porter not to use the Bacon, but to have Beef procured I found so much difficulty to get any good when I was at home that I should be loth not to have enough in about 6 days I will remit what the dr wants. I should like to know that what I sent to you for the Dr had arrived safe— I have not learnt how mrs Blacks little Girl got to Quincy. I think Nabby Hunt was a foolish Girl to go home and relinquish a dollor per week which I have given her ever since I first hired her, for a very easy kind of Buisness—and go home to Poverty— I did not send her away, for Nabby was a solid honest Girl, but for the buisness; I have got a much better one— let me know how far the building is compleated. I hope it will all be finishd before I get home and all the workmen gone— if you think the walls will not be sufficiently dry for papering that can be omitted untill an other season— with the kindest Regard for all our dear Friends and a sympathy in their troubles / I am my dear sister / Your Ever affectionate

A Adams—

Mrs Brisler is much afflicted at the death of her Mother the answer to the Quincy address tho short was from the Heart

78

RC (MWA:Abigail Adams Letters).

1.

Cranch to AA, 25 May, above.

2.

For Isaac Smith Sr.’s finances at the time of his death, see vol. 8:204–205, 210.

3.

For JQA’s instructions to CA and CA’s plan for the property, see vol. 11:57–60, 265. AA’s source for her concern regarding JQA’s property in CA’s hands has not been identified, but for her suggestion that JQA employ Cotton Tufts as his agent and JQA’s reply, see vol. 12:279, 374–375.