Adams Family Correspondence, volume 8
The silk you desired was delivered to mr̃ Parker a month ago, on the eve of his
departure for England, as he supposed. he went however to Holland. mr̃ Valnay is so kind
as to take charge of that now, as also of the silk stockings. I doubt whether you may
like the stockings on first appearance: but I will answer for their goodness, being
woven expressly for me by the Hermits of Mont Calvaire with whom I go & stay
sometimes, and am favoured by them.1 they
have the reputation of doing the best work which comes to the Paris market. I inclose
you their little note of the weight & price, for they sell by weight.2 I inclose also a state of our accounts
subsequent to the paiment of the small sum by Colo. Smith
which balanced our former transactions. you will make such additions & amendments to
it as you shall find right. I have not yet been able to find M. de la Blancherie at home
so as to settle mr̃ Adams's affair with him: but I will do it in time, & render you
an account.3 there being no news here to
communicate to you, be pleased to accept my thanks for the many kind services you have
been so good as to render me & your friendly attentions on every occasion. I have
considered you while in London as my neighbor, and look forward to the moment of your
departure from thence as to an epoch of much regret & concern for me. insulated
& friendless on this side the globe, with such an ocean between me and every thing
to which I am attached the days will seem long which are to be counted over before I too
am to rejoin my native country. young poets complain often that life is fleeting &
transient. we find in it seasons & situations however which move heavily enough. it
will lighten them to me if you will continue to honour me with your correspondence. you
will have much to communicate to me, I little which can interest you. perhaps you can
make me useful in the execution of your European commissions. be assured they will
afford me sincere pleasure in the execution. my daughters join me in affectionate Adieus
to you: Polly does not cease to speak of you with warmth & gratitude. heaven send
you, 224madam, a pleasant & safe passage, and a happy
meeting with all your friends. but do not let them so entirely engross you as to forget
that you have one here who is with the most sincere esteem & attachment Dear Madam /
your most obedient / & most humble servant
M
rs.Adams in acc
twith Th: J.
| Dr. | Cr. | ||||
| 1787. | Oct. 3. | To paid for 5. aunes cambrick sent by Dr.
Cutting |
£ | ||
| 60.₶ | 2–10 | ||||
| £ s | |||||
By cash to Colo. Smith |
2–10 | ||||
| Dec.. 19. | By cash by mr̃ Trumbull 120₶ | 5– | |||
| 1788. | Jan.. 9. | To pd̃ hermits of M. Calvaire 12. pr̃ silk stockings | 168₶ | ||
| To pd̃ for 10. aunes double Florence @ 4₶– 15 | 47–10 | ||||
| 23. | To pd̃ Ct. Sarsfeld for books for mr̃ Adams |
79 | |||
| 294–10 | 12–5–5 | ||||
| Balance in favor of Th: J | 7–5–5 | ||||
| 14–15–5. | 14–15–5 | ||||
RC and enclosure (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs. Adams”; endorsed: “Mr Jefferson / Febry 2.d 1788”;
notation on enclosure: “sent this Balance due to / mr Jefferson by Mrs parker / Febry
22. 1788 / Abigail Adams.”
The hermits of Mont Calvaire
(also known as Mont Valérian), located near the village of Suresnes, France, were a
community of lay brothers. Besides making wine and silk stockings, they also offered
accommodations to paying guests. Jefferson visited them often while living in Paris
(Jefferson, Papers
, 12:xxxv–xxxvi).
Not found.
On 6 Sept. 1787,
JA wrote to Pahin Champlain de La Blancherie (1752–1811), the publisher
of the Nouvelles de la république des lettres et des
arts, to cancel his subscription. He enclosed that letter with one of the same
date to Jefferson, whom he asked to settle his account with La Blancherie. Jefferson
indicated that he had taken care of the matter in a letter to JA of 20
Feb. 1788 (JA, Papers
, 7:360–361; Jefferson, Papers
, 12:98–99, 317–318, 611).