Adams Family Correspondence, volume 14
ry19 1801
I reachd this city on twesday Evening. at Baltimore Leiut
Parker came in to see Me, and offerd his service to me; I had engaged a
carriage of Evans to take Me here with good horses and a carefull driver,
for which I was to give him 80 dollors—or in proportion if I could not get
across the Susquahannah I offerd Mr Parker a seat with me. he was very
usefull to me and exerted himself very much or I should Still have been at
the River; when we got there on sunday Evening, we found the River frozen
over, but not hard enough for any but foot passengers, horses having fallen
in attempting to cross. we sent over to See if Horses and a Carriage could
be procured upon the other Side, but received for answer, that the Demand
had been so great the week before, for Washington, that double Stages had
run down all the Horses— the Night was cold, and mr Parker rose before the
sun & tried Sending a Horse over. as he did not break through, he got
spars fixd under the carriage, and Men to draw it over; some at the pole
Some holding the Spars, & Some pushing behind. having effected this, the
Horses were all led over, and then they put us in a boat, and drew us over
the Same way; the Ice however breaking near the shore and letting the Men in
above their Boots, I was thankfull for our Success. it Soon began to thaw,
and no horses could pass in one hour.— we got on, and lodge’d at Christiana, Sit off early in the morning,
with better roads than I expected. it began raining hard about two hours
before we reach’d the city, continued through the Night, and all day
yesterday, a mere flood. I rejoiced, that we had got through all the Creeks,
which must now be impassible Townsend got to Baltimore on saturday night.
the Horse very lame but I do not see that travelling has much increased
it—but it would not answer to draw him. the Roads to N york are bad as
possible after this Rain— I shall send him off to day to Make the best of
his way home; whilst the baggage at mr staal was carrying upstairs, Townsend
went to carry his horses to the stable. he put his portmanteau into the
entry, but when he returnd it was taken off; and an umbrella belonging to
one of the Gentlemen Lodgers— in his portmanteau he had put all his Money
thinking it safer than in his pocket. that which mr Brisler gave him was
also in his pocket Book, for I had paid his expences upon the Road; he had
notes of hand to 571 the
amount of 200 dollors, and all his Cloaths beside; the poor fellow lookd as if he had lost all his Friends. Mrs staal
says She has lived Six years in the House, had the baggage of all the
travellers who have come to the house frequently left for hours in the same
place; and never lost any thing untill last week a pr of Boots were taken
from the passage.—
I intend Sitting out tomorrow if Mr Adams can be ready. the Roads are so bad that he has determined to accompany me to Nyork—
I hear this morning the result of Monday twesday. I wish the Gentleman
much joy and happiness with his Bride.
1 I fear she will prove a very
vixen to him; I Shall write to You as soon as I get to Nyork
Yours affectionatly
RC (Adams Papers); addressed by
TBA: “The President of the U.S. / City of Washington”;
endorsed: “Mrs A. / Feb. 19. 1801.”
Thomas Jefferson’s 17 Feb. election as president was
widely reported in the Philadelphia press on 19 Feb.; see, for instance,
the Philadelphia Gazette and the Gazette of the United States.
th:Feb
y1801.
We have been rejoycing with
exceeding joy at the news of the result at Washington— Now we hope the
Gentlemen will do something. I got your letter of Monday & at the same
time was informed that the choice was finally made.1 Our former suspence was so
uncomfortable, that any thing would have been considered a relief— It
comforts me that New-England would not yield, but the rest have done better than nothing.
I shall accompany my Mother to New York, where I may probably remain three or four days— You need not cease writing however, nor will I—
Your’s
RC (MWA:Adams Family Letters); addressed: “W. S.
Shaw.”; internal address: “W S Shaw”; endorsed: “T B Adams / rec 22 Feb
/ An 23”; docketed: “1801 / Feby 19.”
Not found.