 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
TO THOMAS BRAND-HOLLIS.[1]
You ask in one of your letters to Mr. Adams, "What
is become of Mrs. Adams, that I do not hear from
her?"
If my heart had not done you more justice than
my pen, I would disown it. I have so long omitted
writing to you, that my conscience has been a very
severe accuser of me. But, be assured, my dear
Sir, that I never fail to talk of you with pleasure, and
think of you with affection. I place the hours spent
at the Hyde amongst some of the most pleasurable
of my days, and I esteem your friendship as one of
the most valuable acquisitions that I made in your
country; a country that I should most sincerely rejoice
to visit again, if I could do it without crossing
the ocean. I have sometimes been suspected of
partiality, for the preference which I have given to
England; and, were I to live out of America, that
country would have been my choice.
I have a situation here, which, for natural beauty
may vie with the most delicious spot I ever saw. It
is a mile and a half distant from the city of New
York. The house is situated upon an eminence; at
upon its bosom the fruitful productions of the
adjacent country. On my right hand, are fields
beautifully variegated with grass and grain, to a great
extent, like the valley of Honiton in Devonshire.
Upon my left, the city opens to view, intercepted,
here and there, by a rising ground, and an ancient
oak. In front, beyond the Hudson, the Jersey shores
present the exuberance of a rich, well-cultivated
soil. The venerable oaks and broken ground, covered
with wild shrubs, which surround me, give a
natural beauty to the spot, which is truly enchanting.
A. lovely variety of birds serenade me morning and
evening, rejoicing in their liberty and security; for I
have, as much as possible, prohibited the grounds
from invasion, and sometimes almost wished for
game laws, when my orders have not been sufficiently
regarded. The partridge, the woodcock, and the
pigeon are too great temptations to the sportsmen to
withstand. How greatly would it add to my happiness
to welcome here my much esteemed friend.
'T is true, we have a large portion of the blue and
gold, of which you used to remind me, when you
thought me an Egyptian; but, however I might
hanker after the good things of America, I have
been sufficiently taught to value and esteem other
countries besides my own.
You were pleased to inform us, that your adopted
family [2]
flourished in your soil; mine has received an
the wife of Colonel W. Stephens Smith, respecting
the name of the great literary benefactor of her
native state, and in grateful remembrance of the
friendly attention and patriotic character of its present
possessor, has named his new-born son Thomas
Hollis. She desires me to present you her affectionate
remembrance. Mr. Adams is absent upon
a journey, or he would have written you a letter
of a later date than that which Mr. Knox is
the bearer of. This gentleman is a brother of
our Secretary of War, and is appointed consul to
Dublin. He is intelligent, and can answer you any
question respecting our government and politics,
which you may wish to ask; but, if he should not
see you, I know it will give you pleasure to learn
that our union is complete, by the accession of Rhode
Island; that our government acquires strength, confidence,
and stability daily; that peace is in our
borders, and plenty in our dwellings; and we earnestly
pray, that the kindling flames of war, which
appear to be bursting out in Europe, may by no
means be extended to this rising nation. We enjoy
freedom in as great a latitude as is consistent with
our security and happiness. God grant that we may
rightly estimate our blessings.
Pray remember me, in the most affectionate terms,
to Dr. Price and to Mrs. Jebb; and be assured, my
dear sir, that I am, with every sentiment of regard
and esteem,
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |