Adams Family Correspondence, volume 14

Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13 February 1801 Adams, Abigail Adams, John

Abigail Adams to John Adams

my Dearest Friend Baltimore 13 Fe’by 1801

I arrived here about half after Six, without any accident, but beat and bang’d enough I do not wish for the present, a severer punishment to the Jacobins & half feds who have sent me home at this Season, than to travel the Roads in the san culot stile just now; the Roads were hard frozen points up, all the way. we were 4 hours making our first stage, and then commenced a voilent snow storm. when we made our 2d Stage which was spurriers, we found ourselves so late that we could not stop but to change our Horses, and came through without taking a mouthfull of refreshment.1 poor little susan streachd herself upon the floor as soon as she got in and fell fast asslepe—

I am not so weary however as to have lost my curiosity about the fate of the Election, and would give something to know the result2

I shall rest here tomorrow, and the next day pursue my journey. I wish however mr Cranch could overtake me, which he might do if he sits out on sunday. I shall have some difficulty in crossing the Susquahannah— I think I ought to have a Gentleman with me. it is too bad to travel these Roads without—

hoping you will find them much men[ded] by the 4th March— I conclude / ever Yours

A A 564

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “Mrs A.” Some loss of text due to wear at the edge.

Spurrier’s Tavern was located about 21 miles north of Washington, D.C., near Elkridge, Md., and was a frequent resting point for travelers between Washington and Baltimore (Morris, Diaries , 2:144).

On 11 Feb. Thomas Jefferson read the results of the electoral votes for president and vice president before a joint Congress. The final tally, for which see TBA to JQA, 6 Dec. 1800, and note 5, above, resulted in JA’s defeat and a tie between Jefferson and Aaron Burr. In the event of a tie, the U.S. Constitution reserved to the House of Representatives the power to elect a president and vice president with each state allocated one vote as determined by a majority poll of its congressional delegation, and with nine states needed to win the presidency. On 11 Feb. 1801 the first ballot awarded eight states to Jefferson, six to Burr, and two were divided. Thirty-four subsequent ballots between 11 and 17 Feb. failed to break the deadlock. Finally on the 36th ballot the tie was broken with ten states for Jefferson, four for Burr, and two entered as blank, thereby securing the presidency for Jefferson and the vice presidency for Burr (Freeman, Affairs of Honor , p. 199–200, 241–242; Annals of Congress , 6th Cong., 2d sess., p. 1022–1033).

Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 14 February 1801 Adams, Abigail Adams, Thomas Boylston

Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams

Dear Thomas Baltimore Feb’ry 14 1801

I wrote to you last Evening requesting You to meet me at the susquahanah; but I did not reflect that it was two days Journey.1 this Evening Leiut Parker has arrived and has tenderd me his services; Mr Evans furnishes me with a carriage to Philadelphia provided we can cross the River if I cannot get over, I must depend upon the chapter of chances—2 if I can get over I expect to be in on twesday. Supposing You have engaged me Rooms at mrs Staales I shall drive there.

No President Elect yet—and yet there are two Presidents Elect— they balloted twice yesterday, but no Man was changed. they ~~met~~ Meet at Eleven to day, and play the same Game again I suppose. the Castles can not be stormed nor the Kings taken, tho they have met with check & mates oh what a lesson upon Elective chief Majestrates! it is Said one Member was so apprehensive that the feds would go in the night, carrying members enough from ten states to vote in a President, that he got ten armed Men & Watchd all night in the Capitol—this is no joke. I could name the Member; but he must have had a head of Clay, or he could not have been so stupid. no body can suppose, as Harper Said, that I mean one of that honorable Body— yet they were men in that house; I began this Letter to inform You that You need, not Sit out to meet me; as Leiut Parker will bear me company— I will pay your postage when I arrive yours &c

A A 565

RC (Adams Papers); addressed by Louisa Catharine Smith: “Thomas B Adams Esqr / Philadelphia”; endorsed: “Mrs: A Adams / 14th: Feby 1801 / 17th: Recd:”; notation by ECA: “on Going from Washington / to Phila—”

In a 13 Feb. letter to TBA, AA reported her progress on her journey from Washington, D.C., to Quincy (American Clipper, Catalog, Nov. 1935, item 5; Sept. 1936, item 1).

William Evans ( ca. 1771–1838 d. 1807 ) was the proprietor of an inn at 187 Market Street in Baltimore, which was the starting point for the Philadelphia and southern mail stages (Jefferson, Papers , 33:39; Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 1838 Norwich Courier, 15 July 1807 ).