Letters of John Adams, Addressed to His Wife

Letter CCLXIX. 19 April. The sensations of 1775 and
of this day similar. Reflections upon the position as-
sumed by the House of Representatives.
Letter CCLXX. 24 April. The wagon is mired. Or-
ders the purchase of land. No prospect of adjourn-
ment. Obstinacy must be resisted.
Letter CCLXXI. 30 April. Town meetings upon Jay's
treaty. The House of Representatives have voted to
make the appropriations. Speech of Mr. Ames, and
effect of it.

222

224

225

Letter CCLXXII. 3 May. He can now return home.
Is national faith binding? Time wasted upon this
question. Others that will succeed it. . .
Letter CCLXXIII. 27 November. Gives an account
of his journey. Mr. Adet's note. Effect of it upon
him. The American people may be roused.
Letter CCLXXIV. 4 December. Dines at the Presi-
Ident's with the Cherokees. Letter of T. Paine to
Washington. Extract from it given. Remarks upon
the French character.

227

229

Letter CCLXXV. 8 December. Pamphlet by T. Paine.
Presidential election. Effect of politics upon friend-
ship. Is in a very happy temper of mind.
Letter CCLXXVI. 30 December. Prospect before him.
Washington. Retirement from public life. Difficulty
of his own position.

231

233

235

1797.

Letter CCLXXVII. 5 January. Dines with Mr. Rush.
Mr. Regal. German philosophy of Kant. Result of

the election.

237

Letter CCLXXVIII. 11 January. Levee at the President's. Mrs. Washington's congratulations. Kidd the steward. Dines with Major Jackson. Farming. . . 238 Letter CCLXXIX. 14 January. Washington's character in France. Political plants grow in the shade. VOL. IV. b

Page.

Message to Mr. Cabot. Is anxious for news from his sons in Europe.

240

241

Letter CCLXXX. 26 January. Dr. Priestley breakfasts
with him. The Dr.'s opinion upon French affairs.
Reason why it cannot be trusted.
Letter CCLXXXI. 4 February. Gloomy prospects.
Arrangements for his new situation. He cannot go back. 242
Letter CCLXXXII. 9 February. The die is cast. The
Prisoners from Algiers. A woman picks out her hus-
band.
Letter CCLXXXIII. 5 March. Yesterday a trying day.
Contrast between Washington's position and his own.
The former congratulates him. Account of his speech. 244
Letter CCLXXXIV. 9 March. Reserve in judging his

inaugural address. Washington's departure. Weep-
ing at his inauguration and causes of it. Motives of
his speech.

243

. . 246

Letter CCLXXXV. 11 March. Domestic affairs Death
of his aunt. Birth night ball. His objections to such
festivals.

Letter CCLXXXVI. 13 March. Engaged in business.
News is not pleasant. Regrets his farm.
Letter CCLXXXVII. 17 March. Will keep bachelor's
hall. No news from Europe. His son must return.
Silence respecting his inaugural address. Prospect in
another election..

248

250

251

Letter CCLXXXVIII. 24 April. Their perplexities.
His mother. They should think of his condition. Her
criticism of Judge Ellsworth. Is a man of business. . 253
Letter CCLXXXIX. 4 May. Has received her letters.
Death of his mother and niece. He is entering on a

new scene.

1798.

Letter CCXC. 28 November. Her company much desired. Anxious for her health. She must renounce public places. All are well.

254

255

Page.

Letter CCXCI. 13 December. Her low spirits. Gives her an account of his occupations. Cannot encourage her coming on.

256

1799.

Letter CCXCII. 1 January. Company upon new year's day. Wants his talkative wife. The people grow brave as danger recedes. Naval glory the birthright of America.

Letter CCXCIII. 25 January. Is as solitary as Frederick the Great. Dislikes his idolatry of Voltaire and his materialism. He early renounced such studies. Letter CCXCIV. 4 February. Departure of his son. Effect of time upon them. Women should be made ambassadors sometimes. Wishes she could come to

him as such.

258

259

260

The birth-night ball.

Letter CCXCV. 23 February.
Effect of cold. His trials. Has planned out much
work.

Letter CCXCVI. 25 October. Accession day. Horses.
The last winter at Philadelphia. The approaching

election.

Letter CCXCVII. 27 October. At Trenton, N. J.
Government about to remove to Philadelphia. Has at-
tended church. Episcopalianism and Presbyterianism.
His own creed.

261

262

264

1800.

Letter CCXCVIII. 13 June. At Washington. Has seen many fine places. Mount Vernon. Likes the seat of government. Is pleased with Alexandria. Mr. Lee.

Letter CCXCIX. 2 November.

265

Announces his arrival.

267

Is glad that she will come to Washington. President's house. Wish.

1801.

Letter CCC. 16 February. Acknowledges the receipt