Year Created: 1801
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Description: In this letter from President John Adams to his wife Abigail Adams, the president writes about the election victory of his rival, Thomas Jefferson. He remarks upon having to nominate judges and the last tasks that he has to accomplish as president.
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Washington, 16 February, 1801.
MY DEAREST FRIEND,
SATURDAY night, nine o clock, and not before, I received yours of 13th, and the letter to Thomas with it, brought here no doubt by mistake. I regret very much that you have not a gentleman with you. The skittish young colt with you is always timorous, but no harm will befall you or her, I trust. The weather and roads here on Saturday, Sunday, and to-day, are the finest we have seen this year.
The election will be decided this day in favor of Mr. Jefferson, as it is given out by good authority.
The burden upon me in nominating judges and consuls and other officers, in delivering over the furniture, in the ordinary business at the close of a session, and in preparing for my journey of five hundred miles through the mire, is and will be very heavy. My time will be all taken up. I pray you to continue to write me. My anxiety for you is a very distressing addition to all my other labors.
Our bishop gave us a good discourse yesterday, and every body inquired after you. I was able to tell them you had arrived on Friday night at Baltimore. I sleep the better for having the shutters open, and all goes on well. I pray God to bless and pre serve you.
I give a feast to-day to Indian kings and aristocrats.
Ever
Citation:
Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 February 1801 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/