Opening the text

Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution: with a Memoir of Mrs. AdamsAdams, John

History

Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution: with a Memoir of Mrs. Adams

Name: Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution: with a Memoir of Mrs. Adams
Author: Adams, John

Adams, John

Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818 -- Correspondence; Adams, John, 1735-1826 -- Correspondence; Presidents -- United States -- Correspondence

I want to hear much oftener from you than I do. March 8th was the last
date of any that I have yet had. You inquire of me whether I am making
saltpetre. I have not yet attempted it, but after soap-making believe I
shall make the experiment. I find as much as I can do to manufacture
clothing for my family, which would else be naked. I know of but one
person in this part of the town who has made any. That is Mr. Tertius
Bass, as he is called, who has got very near a hundred-weight which has
been found to be very good. I have heard of some others in the other
parishes. Mr. Reed, of Weymouth, has been applied to, to go to Andover
to the mills which are now at work, and he has gone.

I have lately seen a small manuscript describing the proportions of the
various sorts of powder fit for cannon, small-arms, and pistols. If it
would be of any service your way I will get it transcribed and send it
to you. Every one of your friends sends regards, and all the little
ones. Adieu.




92. ABIGAIL ADAMS.


   Braintree, 7 April, 1776.

I have received two letters from you this week. One of the 17th and the
other the 19th of March. I believe I have received all your letters
except one you mention writing from Framingham, which I never heard of
before. I have received all the papers you have sent, the oration, and
the magazines. In the small papers. I sometimes find pieces begun and
continued (for instance, Johnston's speech), but am so unlucky as not to
get the papers in order, and miss of seeing the whole.

The removal of the army seems to have stopped the current of news. I
want to know to what part of America they are now wandering. It is
reported and credited that Manly has taken a schooner belonging to the
fleet, richly laden with money, plate, and English goods, with a number
of Tories. The particulars I have not yet learned. Yesterday the remains
of our worthy General Warren were dug up upon Bunker's Hill, and carried
into town, and on Monday are to be interred with all the honors of war.


   10 April.

The Dr. was buried on Monday; the Masons walking in procession from the
State House, with the military in uniforms, and a large concourse of
people attending. He was carried into the Chapel, and there a funeral
dirge was played, an excellent prayer by Dr. Cooper, and an oration by
Mr. Morton, which I hope will be printed. I think the subject must have
inspired him. A young fellow could not have wished a finer opportunity
to display his talents. The amiable and heroic virtues of the deceased,
recent in the minds of the audience; the noble cause to which he fell a
martyr; their own sufferings and unparalleled injuries, all fresh in
their minds, must have given weight and energy to whatever could be
delivered upon the occasion. The dead body, like that of Cæsar, before
their eyes, whilst each wound,--

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution: with a Memoir of Mrs. AdamsAdams, John

History

Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution: with a Memoir of Mrs. Adams

Adams, John

Adams, Abigail, 1744-1818 -- Correspondence; Adams, John, 1735-1826 -- Correspondence; Presidents -- United States -- Correspondence

I want to hear much oftener from you than I do. March 8th was the last
date of any that I have yet had. You inquire of me whether I am making
saltpetre. I have not yet attempted it, but after soap-making believe I
shall make the experiment. I find as much as I can do to manufacture
clothing for my family, which would else be naked. I know of but one
person in this part of the town who has made any. That is Mr. Tertius
Bass, as he is called, who has got very near a hundred-weight which has
been found to be very good. I have heard of some others in the other
parishes. Mr. Reed, of Weymouth, has been applied to, to go to Andover
to the mills which are now at work, and he has gone.

I have lately seen a small manuscript describing the proportions of the
various sorts of powder fit for cannon, small-arms, and pistols. If it
would be of any service your way I will get it transcribed and send it
to you. Every one of your friends sends regards, and all the little
ones. Adieu.




92. ABIGAIL ADAMS.


   Braintree, 7 April, 1776.

I have received two letters from you this week. One of the 17th and the
other the 19th of March. I believe I have received all your letters
except one you mention writing from Framingham, which I never heard of
before. I have received all the papers you have sent, the oration, and
the magazines. In the small papers. I sometimes find pieces begun and
continued (for instance, Johnston's speech), but am so unlucky as not to
get the papers in order, and miss of seeing the whole.

The removal of the army seems to have stopped the current of news. I
want to know to what part of America they are now wandering. It is
reported and credited that Manly has taken a schooner belonging to the
fleet, richly laden with money, plate, and English goods, with a number
of Tories. The particulars I have not yet learned. Yesterday the remains
of our worthy General Warren were dug up upon Bunker's Hill, and carried
into town, and on Monday are to be interred with all the honors of war.


   10 April.

The Dr. was buried on Monday; the Masons walking in procession from the
State House, with the military in uniforms, and a large concourse of
people attending. He was carried into the Chapel, and there a funeral
dirge was played, an excellent prayer by Dr. Cooper, and an oration by
Mr. Morton, which I hope will be printed. I think the subject must have
inspired him. A young fellow could not have wished a finer opportunity
to display his talents. The amiable and heroic virtues of the deceased,
recent in the minds of the audience; the noble cause to which he fell a
martyr; their own sufferings and unparalleled injuries, all fresh in
their minds, must have given weight and energy to whatever could be
delivered upon the occasion. The dead body, like that of Cæsar, before
their eyes, whilst each wound,--

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution: with a Memoir of Mrs. Adams

Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams During the Revolution: with a Memoir of Mrs. Adams

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