It was highly gratifying to Mr. Vaughan and myself to find by General Dearborn that we still retained a place in the memory of yourself & the President; tho’ we live retired we wish not to be forgotten by those we love & esteem.

I do not wonder that you & the President should be surprized at our being able to fill up our time without Politics or dissipation, but when you recollect that we have six Children to educate & to settle in the world your Surprize will abate;1 we have hitherto had but little assistance in our labours, but we hope that Masters of certain branches of education may be tempted to reside here & finish what we have endeavoured to begin: the leisure occupations of our boys being in the agricultural & gardening line, are incapable of being exhibited to our distant friends, but to convince you that we do not mean to become quite rustics & to neglect the elegant arts while we cultivate the useful ones, I shall take the liberty of sending for your acceptance a pair of little screens the work of our eldest daughter which may sometimes remind you of us. You will be pleased to signify where they shall be left in Boston, perhaps Mr. Hallowell’s may be a convenient place.2

Mr. Vaughan occupies himself solely with husbandry, gardening, medicine & philosophical pursuits; he never reads politics unless once in six months perhaps a slight pamphlet; & he never speaks on the subject with his neighbours, or takes an active part on either side. His change in this respect is such as surprizes even myself. He now & then indeed attends to divinity, but never to its controversies. By this means we live peaceably with all parties; as they seem less violent here than in the middle states, the attempt is more easy.

I shall be happy to enjoy a few of your moments of leisure & to hear of your health & family; Mrs. Smith has not I hope forgotten us, please to present our Compts. to her & Col. Smith. Mr. Vaughan unites with me in kind respects to yourself & Mr. Adams.

Mr. Vaughan does not find it easy in a new-settled place to renew those kinds of sensations which he formerly experienced in the society of your family, since this was difficult in the extensive cities of Europe. He sensibly regrets therefore his separation from you & his other antient American friends; & this with his separation from his friends in Europe, is almost the only regret he feels here.

He desires me to add, that he has lately & as from himself recommended to a certain friend to bid an eternal adieu to political controversies. He had before made attempts to this effect, particularly by reciting his own example. The late unpleasant step taken by the party himself might have made farther measures seem too late, had not the message through General Dearborn encouraged him to a new & vigorous effort. By various arguments, not forgetting some drawn from religion & the sentiments of certain of his friends, he has now again urged him to a final abandonment of party proceedings. He conceives that it would not assist his attempt to have any communication between himself & the President on this subject suspected. Mr. V— is yet without an answer; but he received a late promise from the party that he himself shall never again be named in his disputes.

I am my dear Madam, / with respect & esteem / Your Obedt. hum. Servt.

Receiv’d of Mrs Adams one hundred dollars in Payment for a Portrait painted by me1

The several Matters mention’d in your last, have been attended to, so far as Circumstances would permit.1 The Rocks in the mowing Land, have been like to a powerful Enemy hard to conquer, it has required much of your Resolution to remove them from their strong Holds. To forward Business they were drilld in the Winter, as soon as the Ground became open, they were blown. one Blast made way for a second, a second for a Third and so on; but knowing, that You would wish to have none remain that could be removed, We have persevered and I think not more than one remains This Business has somewhat retarded the Completion of the Wall between you & Mr Black but they are now progressing in the Business— There are 8 or 10 Rods of wall which at Pens Hill opposite Curtis’s House, which it is absolutely necessary to new lay and have accordingly spoke to Joseph Field to undertake the Business2

Stetson has attended to the asparagus & Strawberry Beds, but finding there was no Dependance upon him, have engaged Willm. Phæbes Husband, who is steadily employed in the Garden and not much inferior to Stetson in the Knowledge of gardening— For 6 Weeks past We have had but few Fair Days—and much Rain—very 249 250 unfavourable for planting, sewing &C The Rains have also prevented our completing the external Paintings of the Buildings. The House is coverd, windows up, Chimneys built, Partitions made,

We are not so far advanc’d as I could wish for, but perhaps as fast as may be profitable, much Pains have been taken to have the Stuff well Seasoned but the excessive Moisture of our Atmosphere occasions it to swell, I fear it will be subject to shrink—

I have purchased for you 13 Shares in the Middlesex Canal at about 35 per Cent discount, I find they are upon the rise,3 the Remainder of Money’s in my Hands shall vest in such other Stock as I shall find will be most profitable— The Flour and other Articles sent by Mrs. Adams arrived the latter End of last Week, and suppose them to be now lodg’d at Quincy, having orderd Teams to go for them on saturday last.

I have also purchased 150 Bushells of Oates, which are deposited in the Oat Chests. Mr. Porter is of opinion, that You will have a sufficiency of english Hay for Your Horses, but as it the Price of Hay is low, I suggested some time since in a Letter to Mrs. Adams, whether it would not be best to purchase some—but as She will return in a few Days, shall defer buying at present—4 Our Apple Trees are in Blossom the Blows are great—Grass forward—and all Nature is dressd in rich Attire— I hope it will not be long, before You will at Quincy participate with us in the Pleasure of so rich a Prospect—

I am Dear Sr. With Sentiments of sincere Respect & Friendship / Yrs: