Beschreibung:

ADAMS, ABIGAIL, First Lady . Autograph letter signed ("A. Adams") to "My Dear Granddaughter" (Catherine Smith , "Quincy, [Mass.], 14 April 1813. 1 full page, 4to, integral address leaf with recipient's name in another hand, small patch to address leaf, otherwise in fine condition. IN THE MIDST OF WAR WITH BRITAIN, ABIGAIL MOURNS A SISTER AND GREETS A GREAT GRAND-DAUGHTER A fine newsy family letter. "I will not let my Dear Boys [John Quincy and Thomas Boyleston Adams?] leave me without taking a few lines to you. My heart and hands have been full, the parting with the Children, I set as a weight upon my Heart. Added to this, I am called to weep over a dear beloved, only sister, suddenly taken from the world; without one sad adieu to a fond doating [ sic ] husband, a darling daughter, and beloved son. You did not know her, but your husband has experienced, with many others, her maternal tenderness, her watchfull care, her parental advise -- he will mourn her loss. You must excuse this mournful strain -- I could not have written you at all, if I could not have passed out my griefs. Alas old wounds are opened anew." "I thank you dear Kitty for your letter; and I long to see my great granddaughter, whom I learn you have named for my dear Caroline. There is but one other name I could have wished her to borne, not because it is my own, but that of one, whose memory is very dear to me....I find from high authority that Mr. Smith will have it as his option to go to England as Secretary of Legation, or return to America. I am not competent to judge what is best for him, he knows best, I presume. I shall rejoice to hear that you are once more a collected family. I forward you some letters from your friends at Washington, and shall always rejoice to hear of your welfare....."