My dearest Friend

Yours of the 17th [John to Abigail, 17 May 1794] came this day to me. I do not know to what to ascribe the failure of my letters unless our son forgot to put them into the post office. I wrote you twice upon the very week of which you complain; and tho I have not faild. writing to you once a week ever since you left me, I have not very often written twice. But some Business that week occurd which I wanted your opinion of. That Morton is chosen a Rep. is not more disgracefull to Boston than that some others hold a Seat there, or than Austin is to the Senate but in concequence of their having such men they have as a Town, much less weight in the Legislature than they used to have, and the Federalists may blame themselves for their careless Supineness. I never approved of the measures adopted by them with respect to the choice of Governor, but they must have been much misrepresented to you. The contest if it may be called one was only between two candidates and that maintaind with more Decency and decorum than any Election in any State out of N. England. Not a tenth part of the opposition to either which upon Several Elections I have known takes place. With respect to Hancock

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and as to the report of free Negroes voting, I take it upon me to say tis Idle and false, as I never heard a Syllable of it. If you had been here you would have been surprised to find how little bustle there was about the matter. The people were generally disposed to Support Mr. Adams, (as the full vote he obtained will prove) either as Governor or Leiut. Governor and tho there was some News paper Strictures and Bilingsgate, yet there was very little of it. I suppose some of the stories have been fabricated to keep our virtuous Southern Brethren in countenance. Boston has behaved very well in many respects, during the whole of these troublesome times, and their Democrats have not gone such lengths as in  [illegible]  New York or Philadelphia. Jarvis frets and Austin clamours, scolds and writes in the Chronical abuse upon the Government and its Friends. Yet in Boston all know who and what he is, and tis very little regarded. It appears to be the General Wish that the Embargo may be continued. If you Should Stay into June and be in a Situation to do it.I should like whilst flouer is low to have a couple Barrels of more flouer, that Britler sent me is very fine.

I received a Book and letter for you to day. The Book is dedicated to you and is the History of the County of Worcester by Revd. Peter Whitney of Northborough.

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The Letter is short and handsome. The dedication, may rather be called an inscription, after the Name and titles of office, is added, "This History intended to promote the knowledge of a part of his Native commonwealth is inscribed with all respect by his most obedient Humble Servant."

I have been much gratified in reading it. As you return home I wish you would get one of Thomas Bibles. He has printed three Editions and is preparing to print two others.

The weather is cooler to Day. A Small Shower yesterday in Boston and Cambridge of which we got not a drop has however coold the air. God Grant it may be our turn soon, or Man and Beast will Suffer. Hay is very generally expended, and the drought raises the price prodigiously. I am my Dearest Friend with the fond hope of giving you more than the Fraternal embrace, even that of an affectionate Wife

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[Endorsement -- see page image]