Adams Family Correspondence, volume 6
1785-04-30
I have but a moments time to write you a Line, and send you by Mr. Allen the measure of Charles and Thomas Shirts. If you make them 2 now, each, it will be sufficient. I have indeed been made happy by receiving 2 Letters from my Sister,1 but we have none from my Cousin Nabby. I really commiserate her Situation—look round on every side, and infelicity must be her present portion.
I suppose Sister, nor Cousin has any thoughts of returning at present to America. Time may do much upon both sides. A State of probation we are all in, if we act our parts with fidelity, we shall receive an ample reward. I should think this would be a motive, to excite us to great Circumspection.
You have my Sister a critical, delicate, part to act. You are at all times apprized of the necessity of Candor, and impartiality in our inquires respecting persons, and things. It is not sufficient to hear only upon one side. I know not anything of the merits of the Cause. Your own prudence, and goodness of heart, will direct you in the Path of Duty.—And I sincerely hope it will ultimately tend to the Peace, Satisfaction, and happiness of all our Families.2
117Alas, how I lament the unhappy Situation of General Palmer. It seems as if Misfortune had marked him for her own—Those fair Possessions—But when these fail us we must look to the bright realms above, and even in the midst of every earthly Enjoyment, it is there we must fix our eye, our affections, and it is there we may place our trust.
The length of Charles Shirt, is a yard and Thomas about 2 inches shorter. I have you here, but if not I hope to come myself the latter part of May, if it ever grows warm enough to settle the ways.
My Love to all—Ever Yours
See Elizabeth Shaw to AA, 25 April, note 1, above.
This and the preceding paragraph appear to refer to some difficulty between Royall Tyler and AA2, or at least to express a concern over that relationship.
1785-05-03
I am, My dear Madam led by Various Motives to take My pen to Scribble a few lines at least by this conveyance. The first is that you May be Sensible of My readyness to Acknowledge the favur1 you have been pleased to shew Me in Answering My Short letter in such a descriptive Manner as to make it quite Needless for Me (to wish) to cross the line to become acquainted with the Mind the form the Manners the Customs dress &c. of the French Ladies.
An other is to Thank you for the receipts patterns &c. And a Third to tell you how much pleasure it Gives Me to hear that you and yours are in health and happy. May the first of Earthly blessings attend you, (at least,) while you are ingaged abroad and “obliged to pay Compliments to those you can't endure.” You Now I Suppose often—
As Our Magnitude Must be diminished to become a Wasp, I am quite content, that the French Ladies shou'd laugh at us, and indulge their taste.
I feel Much Obliged to you good Lady for part of the interesting Story of the Dumb Show. It is indeed very Surpriseing that they can Operate So forcibly upon the human Mind by Mere Shew.
118As Mr. Storer is closeing his Letters I have only time to add that all your friends are well, And Betsey G
P.S. Mr. Storer join's me with the Children in proper regards to Mr. A——ds. Gorge an Polly2 send a return of their particular regards to you.
Of
George and Mary Storer were two of Ebenezer Storer's children by his first wife, Elizabeth Green Storer (
Sibley's Harvard Graduates
, 12:208, 213–214).