A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.
close

Browsing: Adams Family Correspondence, Volume 1

John Adams to Abigail Adams -

Falmouth July 9. 1774
I never enjoyed better Health in ...

Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams -

Plimouth August 9th 1774
I Returned yesterday from a Visit ...


Search for a response to this letter.

Elizabeth Palmer to Abigail Adams

Docno: AFC01d093

Author: Palmer, Elizabeth
Author: Cranch, Elizabeth Palmer
Recipient: AA
Date: 1774-07-16

[salute] Dear Madam

I have this moment finished Copying The manuscript you was kind enough to Lend me, and must write a line, to beg your excuse for not Sooner returning it.2 I could not Steal the time to Copy it before, and was Loath to Lose it. I think it is a very Pretty thing; tho, (if you can excuse my Seeming arrogance, in Presuming to Criticise,) there are Some expressions in it, that Seem not quite according to the rules of good Poetry; I mean, a too frequent repetition of the Same Words; for instance, the word, woe, and woes, Comes in so often as to, in Some measure flatten the Spirrit of it, but, I am Sensible Im runing out of {p. 138} my Proper Sphere, and Shall Doubtless expose my own ignorence, Pray Pardon me, and accept my thanks for the Books, Part of which I Shall return tomorrow; My impatience Prevail'd upon me to Send on monday last, to Your office, for the other Vol's of Charles Wentworth; and expected Josey would Send it by the Return of the Chaise at night, but was disappointd; I long to have the rest of it but the fates are against me.3 Miss Nancy left us this morning; her aunt moves out of town on monday. Company is at the door So adieu.
[signed] Betsey Palmer
RC Adams Papers ; addressed: β€œTo Mrs. Adams Present.”
 
1. 15 July 1774 was a Friday; the letter was probably written on Saturday, 16 July.
 
2. This MS poem has not been further identified.
 
3. The History of Charles Wentworth, Esq. In a Series of Letters, a novel in three volumes by Edward Bancroft, was published anonymously in London, 1770 (BM, Catalogue ). For JA's opinion of it see his Diary and Autobiography , 4:72–73.
Cite web page as: Founding Families: Digital Editions of the Papers of the Winthrops and the Adamses, ed.C. James Taylor. Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 2007.
http://www.masshist.org/ff/