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Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 December 1796


My Dearest Friend

The Accounts We have of Fires in Georgia and New york are not much more distressing than those We hear of the Miseries brought upon Numbers by Speculation. Mr. Morris, Mr. Greenleaf, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Barclay are the common Topicks of Conversation. How many worthy Families must Suffer with these Sufferers? And where the Conflagration will Stop, I know not and no body pretends to predict.

The Panick which Seiz'd Some People in Philadelphia, at the Sudden Appearance of Mr. Adets Note, lasted not long. There are who wish'd it to be more general and durable but they have been disappointed.

I have been told by a Gentleman from Massachusetts that Mr. James Winthrop of Cambridge is one of the principal Writers in the Chronicle. I should be Sorry to believe, without Evidence a report So injurious to his Reputation. I wish to know the Truth however. His Father would be grieved if he lived and knew it. His Father, tho a Friend of Liberty and lover of his Country was a wise Man.

We wait for News from Virginia and Mass. to determine the Question of the Election.

I am, tendrement,
J.A.

Mrs A.



Cite web page as: Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 December 1796 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://yvuviv.automaticl.net/digitaladams/
Original manuscript: Adams, John. Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 December 1796. 1 page. Original manuscript from the Adams Family Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Source of transcription: Adams Papers Editorial Project. Unverified transcriptions.
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