Adams Family Correspondence, volume 15

Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams, 16 September 1801 Adams, Louisa Catherine Adams, John Quincy

Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams

Washington Sept. 16th. 1801

I was so much fatigued from my journey that I found it impossible to write by Whitcomb he will tell you how very much the poor baby suffered and I hope it will be an inducement for you to come and fetch us as I really feel that George will be almost too great a charge for me alone he has quite recovered his fatigue and looks as well as ever the meeting with my friends was almost too much for us all Mama my Sisters and Tom look remarkably well but papa is very much alter’d he is quite enchanted with our child who is seldom out of his arms they are all extremely anxious to see you and are so delighted with the thoughts of your coming to fetch me that I dare not hint to them that it is not your intention—

124

I am quite delighted with the situation of this place and I think should it ever be finished it will be one of the most beautiful spots in the world the Presidents house and the capitol are two most Superb buildings and very well worth coming to see the publick offices are likewise very handsome—

I should be much obliged to you if you would tell Whitcomb to send me one of his gowns if he should not have sold them as Mrs. Hellen is very desirous of purchacing one I wish him to send a yellow and white and a pink and white if he has them by the first opportunity and to make a little bill of them—

Mr. Meredith has resigned his place and leaves Washington the 1st. of next month it is said here that Mr. Aversham will be appointed in his stead—1

Adieu my dearest husband remember me affectionately to all your family as mine desire to be to you and believe me / Your most sincerely affecate wife

Louisa C. Adams

I went this morning to see Mrs. Cranch she expects to be confined every hour but looks very well.2

RC (Adams Papers).

Treasurer of the United States Samuel Meredith submitted his letter of resignation to Thomas Jefferson on 29 Aug., noting that he hoped to remain in office no longer than early November. On 4 Sept. Jefferson offered the position to Joseph Habersham (1751–1815), who had recently resigned as U.S. postmaster general, but he declined, and Meredith subsequently agreed to stay on until his successor was appointed. On 31 Oct. Jefferson offered the post to South Carolina physician Thomas Tudor Tucker, who accepted on 5 November. On 6 Jan. 1802 Jefferson formally nominated Tucker; the Senate confirmed his nomination on 26 Jan., and he remained in the position until his death in 1828 (vol. 14:63; Jefferson, Papers , 35:172, 209–210, 330, 331, 530, 531, 571–572; U.S. Senate, Exec. Jour. , 7th Cong., 1st sess., p. 400, 405; Biog. Dir. Cong. ).

William and Anna Greenleaf Cranch’s fourth child, a daughter named Mary (d. 1821), was born on 26 Sept. 1801 (Alexandria Gazette, 10 July 1821; Greenleaf, Greenleaf Family , p. 222).

Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 September 1801 Adams, Thomas Boylston Adams, Abigail

Thomas Boylston Adams to Abigail Adams

Dear Mother. Philadelphia 20th: Septr: 1801.

I received your favor of the 10th: instt: the Day before yesterday, with an enclosure for J Q A & his wife, which I forwarded to her, as I perceived it was addressed to them, both.1 They spent a week with me here, during the hottest spell of weather, we have experienced, this summer, and though much overcome by it, I was surprized to find, that they bore it so well. Dr: Rush, in the absence of his lady, performed the honors of his house, with great hospitality & kindness. 125 Young Mr: Adams is a fine boy, and his mother is, of course, proud, as she ought to be, of him. I could not help feeling some fondness for the youth, though I did not testify half enough partiality, to satisfy the exquisite devotion of a mother’s heart. You will perform this office with a better grace, than I could.

The Ex-Ambassador, is to me, precisely the same man, as when I left him; but many of his former acquaintance exclaim—How you are altered! The only difference I could discern, in his appearance, was a sort of fatherly look, which has lately come to him, and which will, no doubt grow upon him, with increase of years. I am happy, that he is once more restored to his Country & friends, for they will both, be benefitted by his talents; however employed. He has no propensity to engage in a political career, and from his contempt of the conduct of all the parties, which have hitherto existed, I think he will not rank with any, unless it be with one moddeled on his own system. Should he converse freely on political topics, and discuss, openly, the conduct & characters of leading men, on both sides, he will, by the federalists be called a Jacobin and by the jacobins, a federalist. As a neutral character, he would not long continue if he could, nor could he if he would.

I received some letters for my Brother since his departure, which I now enclose.2 Your flour, I am told, was Shipped for Boston, a fortnight ago, addressed to Mr: Wm: Smith. I have ordered two Blls more, as you desire.

The half boots, which you have, at my service, if they will suit my brother, as I think they will, may be transferred to him; if not, please direct Wm: Shaw to send them round to me, by water.

I am, dear Mother, / Your son

T B Adams.

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mrs: A Adams.”

Not found.

One of these letters was possibly Jacob Wagner to JQA, 11 Sept., in which Wagner confirmed receiving JQA’s 4 Sept. letter to James Madison (Adams Papers; Madison, Papers, Secretary of State Series , 2:83–84).