 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Six months have already elapsed since I heard a
syllable from you or my dear son, and five, since I
have had one single opportunity of conveying a line to
you. Letters of various dates have lain months at
the Navy Board, and a packet and frigate, both ready
to sail at an hour's warning, have been months waiting
the orders of Congress. They no doubt have
their reasons, or ought to have, for detaining them.
I must patiently wait their motions, however painful
testify. Yet I know not but you are less a sufferer
than you would be to hear from us, to know our distresses,
and yet be unable to relieve them. The
universal cry for bread, to a humane heart, is painful
beyond description, and the great price demanded
and given for it verifies that pathetic passage of sacred
writ, "All that a man hath will he give for his
life." Yet He who miraculously fed a multitude
with five loaves and two fishes, has graciously interposed
in our favor, and delivered many of the enemy's
supplies into our hands, so that our distresses
have been mitigated. I have been able as yet to
supply my own family, sparingly, but at a price that
would astonish you. Corn is sold at four dollars,
hard money, per bushel, which is equal to eighty at
the rate of exchange.
Labor is at eight dollars per day, and in three
weeks it will be at twelve, 't is probable, or it will be
more stable than any thing else. Goods of all kinds
are at such a price that I hardly dare mention it.
Linens are sold at twenty dollars per yard; the most
ordinary sort of calicoes at thirty and forty; broad-cloths
at forty pounds per yard; West India goods full
as high; molasses at twenty dollars per gallon; sugar
four dollars per pound; bohea tea at forty dollars;
and our own produce in proportion. Butcher's meat
at six and eight shillings per pound; board at fifty
and sixty dollars per week; rates high. That, I suppose
you will rejoice at; so would I, did it remedy
the evil. I pay five hundred dollars, and a new
which will be two hundred more. I have come to
this determination, to sell no more bills, unless can
procure hard money for them, although I shall be
obliged to allow a discount. If I sell for paper, I
throw away more than half, so rapid is the depreciation;
nor do I know that it will be received long.
I sold a bill to Blodget at five for one, which was
looked upon as high at that time. The week after I
received it, two emissions were taken out of circulation,
and the greater part of what I had, proved to be
of that sort; so that those, to whom I was indebted,
are obliged to wait, and before it becomes due, or is
exchanged, it will be good for—as much as it will
fetch, which will be nothing, if it goes on as it has
done for this three months past. I will not tire your
patience any longer. I have not drawn any further
upon you. I mean to wait the return of the Alliance,
which with longing eyes I look for. God grant
it may bring me comfortable tidings from my dear,
dear friend, whose welfare is so essential to my happiness,
that it is entwined around my heart, and cannot
be impaired or separated from it without rending
it asunder.
In contemplation of my situation, I am sometimes
thrown into an agony of distress. Distance, dangers,
and O! I cannot name all the fears which sometimes
oppress me, and harrow up my soul. Yet must the
common lot of man one day take place, whether we
dwell in our own native land, or are far distant from
it. That we rest under the shadow of the Almighty
comfort which the world cannot give. If He sees
best to give me back my friend, or to preserve my
life to him, it will be so.
Our worthy friend, Dr. Winthrop, is numbered
with the great congregation, to the inexpressible loss
of Harvard College.
Be shed for him. The virgin, in her bloom
Cut off, the joyous youth, and darling child,
These are the tombs that claim the tender tear,
And elegiac song. But Winthrop calls
For other notes of gratulation high,
That now he wanders through those endless worlds
He here so well descried, and wondering talks,
And hymns their Author with his glad compeers."
The testimony he gave with his dying breath, in
favor of revealed religion, does honor to his memory,
and will endear it to every lover of virtue. I know
not who will be found worthy to succeed him.
Congress have not yet made any appointment of
you to any other court. There appears a dilatoriness,
an indecision, in their proceedings. I have in
Mr. Lovell an attentive friend, who kindly informs me
of every thing which passes relative to you and your
situation, and gives me extracts of your letters both
to himself and others. I know you will be unhappy
whenever it is not in your power to serve your country,
and wish yourself at home, where at least you
might serve your family. I cannot say that I think
our affairs go very well here. Our currency seems
our Continental army by means of it. No bounty
will prevail with them. What can be done with it?
It will sink in less than a year. The advantage the
enemy daily gains over us is owing to this. Most
truly did you prophesy, when you said that they
would do all the mischief in their power with the
forces they had here.
My tenderest regards ever attend you in all places
and situations.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |