Adams Family Correspondence, volume 15

Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 7 December 1801 Adams, Thomas Boylston Adams, John Quincy

Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams

dear Brother. Philadelphia 7th: December 1801

I have just now received your favor of the 28th: ult. with the enclosures; Dennie stepp’d in a moment after, and I gave him the fable, for which he thanks you. He desires me to add, that as he cannot expect, from your present, unsettled State, you will have much time to bestow in producing original matter, he will be grateful for any thing, you may Send him, from your stock on hand. I was gratified with Mr: Murray’s letter; it bespeaks the man we used to know, throughout. Moreover, I like his advice, in the concluding sentence. “Get married, love God, your Country, make money & keep it.” This is so much in unison with my apprehension of the whole duty of man, that I am a ready convert to the scheme—but then the means— You have suggested, at least a share of them, in the project you ~~suggest~~ offer for my consideration. I want but little time to look at it, for golden prospects, could not sooner tempt me, than rustic independence, thrift and Sport. If you can bring your mind to the 146 sacrifice of “luxurious indulgences,” and consent to penetrate the wilds of a new, unsettled Country, in quest of honest though homely independence, I should feel a pride in emulating such an example; indeed I think so much like you, on this subject, that I am ready at a short warning to embrace, with zeal & ardor, any practicable enterprize which, may justify a renunciation of my present, ill-requited labors in an ungracious profession. No more words—I am your man, for a new Country, & manual-labor— Head-work is bad business, and I never was fond of it. I will not more fully discuss this topic, now, but I pray you be explicit and until we have ripened our scheme, to the period of speedy execution, let it remain our own. My capital is chiefly in my hands & feet, and they are at your service. Love to all friends—

Your Brother

T B Adams

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “J Q Adams Esqr:.”

Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 8 December 1801 Peabody, Elizabeth Smith Shaw Adams, Abigail

Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams

Atkinson Dec. 2d 8th. 180’1.

I hope my Dear Sister, has had her Cup of happiness filled, by having an amiable long absent Son, with his wife & little One, sit at her Thansgiving Table. I have not heard of his return from Washington, but presumed it would be an object with him, to be with his beloved Parents upon that Day. I thought of the pleasurable Circle, & sincerely wished myself one of the Affectionate Band, for I ardently long to see him whom I loved—whose many virtues excited maternal tenderness—& every wish for his prosperity, & domestic happiness—

I was detained in Boston, a day, or two longer than I intended by the badness of the weather, but without any disaster got home upon Saturday before night—& my dear Abby seems much better for her Journey— I have had my hands quite full since I got home—for I have not had any Girl but Lydia till this week, & I now hope I have found a good one—if she is not, she must go, & I will try again—

Dec—10th.

We have recieved a Letter from Col. Smith wherein he requests his Children may be Sent to him immediately— I confess it was very unexpected to me— I fancy he was seized with a fit of parental fondness, upon hearing by you, how well they performed when you were 147 at Atkinson—1 He does not intimate any dislike—but supposes they may imbibe sentiments foreign to his domestic Circle, & wishes to have them near him— We thought it best to keep the matter from the Children at present, because I am dissappointed of a Taylor this week, & cannot possibly get them ready in a day— I had gotten Williams Shirts almost done before, I received the message—& shall do their things as soon as possible— If they knew they were sent for, it would derange all their pursuits, & John is so beautifully engaged, I cannot bear he should be interrupted— It will be with deep regret we shall see his progress impeded— As to Cousin W.S.S. I really believe he had better attend to some business of active life rather than be kept at an Academy to learn language— he dislikes Greek, & will not be flattered to any study like his Brother John— I wish if he goes, John might be permitted to tarry, I most sincerely wish it— I send you a letter of his own inditing you may see his opinion— I wish you to write to me as soon as possible—& if you think best to his Parents— Mr Vose says John is everything he can wish him—& has abillities that cultivated, may raise him to the first offices in his Country—

I wish I had time to write to Mrs Smith—please to let me hear from you very soon—

With every sentiment of love & gratitude for the President & my dear Sister I subscribe / Your affectionate Sister

Elizabeth Pea[body]

PS— Mr Peabody presents his regards— Please to give my love to cousin Louisa, my Son, & my Sister— If as I hope, you have received the Bandino hankercheifs, I ask my Cousin Louisas acceptance of one, & please to give D. Dexter one of them from me—2

John has not finished his letter, but says wishes to stay if William goes— I will send on to you both letters when they are done—in haste—

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs Abigail Adams / Quincy”; endorsed: “Mrs Peabody / 8 December”; notation by AA: “Wholesome.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.

Not found.

Farmer David Dexter (1745–1821) was a longtime resident of the Atkinson, N.H., area before moving to Woburn, Mass., in 1799 (Peabody to AA, 31 [30] April 1802, below; Orlando Perry Dexter, Dexter Genealogy 1642–1904, N.Y., 1904, p. 71–73).