BIB_ID
79966
Accession number
MA 1018
Creator
Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818, sender.
Display Date
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1800 January 9.
Credit line
Gift of Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach, 1924.
Description
1 item (2 pages) ; 24.3 x 19.6 cm
Notes
The letter is initialed "A A."
The recipient of the letter is not identified in the salutation, however, in the closing she sends her regards to Mrs. Tufts; Cotton Tufts was John Adams' cousin and his financial agent in the U.S.
Original paper seal with wax.
Docketed in ink on verso.
Formerly bound with a letter from George Washington to Tobias Lear (MA 999.1), Company Orders issued by Captain Joseph McIlvaine on the death of General Washington (MA 999.2) and three letters by Martha Washington (MA 1000, 1008 and 1014). These letters were bound together at the Library after being individually acquired; this synthetic collection was disbound in 2015, and the binding was retained.
The recipient of the letter is not identified in the salutation, however, in the closing she sends her regards to Mrs. Tufts; Cotton Tufts was John Adams' cousin and his financial agent in the U.S.
Original paper seal with wax.
Docketed in ink on verso.
Formerly bound with a letter from George Washington to Tobias Lear (MA 999.1), Company Orders issued by Captain Joseph McIlvaine on the death of General Washington (MA 999.2) and three letters by Martha Washington (MA 1000, 1008 and 1014). These letters were bound together at the Library after being individually acquired; this synthetic collection was disbound in 2015, and the binding was retained.
Provenance
Gift of Dr. Rosenbach in 1924.
Summary
Commenting on the "sudden Death" of General Washington and its potential impact on the Army; saying that the "vacant place will not be suddenly fill'd. Time will mature the public opinion and the general voice direct Right I hope. As America can never possess another citizen in whom so many qualities united to attach the public affection, in War and in Peace. It can never be expected that any other appointment will give such universal satisfaction"; commenting on the danger "that the gratefull feelings of the public will outstretch the bounds of decency and decorum. and finally tend to injure a Character which they mean to honour"; saying that Mrs. Washington "was brought to tears" when reading the letters of "private Friendship" [between Washington and Adams]; thanking him for General Lee's oration.
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