dropped the idea, therefore, but did not cease to wish for
some opportunity of renewing our friendly understanding.

Two or three years after, having had the misfortune to lose a daughter,
between whom and Mrs. Adams there had been a considerable attachment,
she made it the occasion of writing me a letter, in which, with the
tenderest expressions of concern at this event, she carefully avoided a
single one of friendship towards myself, and even concluded it with
the wishes 'of her who once took pleasure in subscribing herself your
friend, Abigail Adams.' Unpromising as was the complexion of this
letter, I determined to make an effort towards removing the clouds from
between us. This brought on a correspondence which I now enclose for
your perusal, after which be so good as to return it to me, as I have
never communicated it to any mortal breathing, before. I send it to you,
to convince you I have not been wanting either in the desire, or the
endeavor to remove this misunderstanding. Indeed, I thought it highly
disgraceful to us both, as indicating minds not sufficiently elevated to
prevent a public competition from affecting our personal friendship. I
soon found from the correspondence that conciliation was desperate,
and yielding to an intimation in her last letter, I ceased from further
explanation. I have the same good opinion of Mr. Adams which I ever had.
I know him to be an honest man, an able one with his pen, and he was a
powerful advocate on the floor of Congress. He has been alienated from
me, by belief in the lying suggestions contrived for electioneering
purposes, that I perhaps mixed in the activity and intrigues of the
occasion. My most intimate friends can testify that I was perfectly
passive. They would sometimes, indeed, tell me what was going on; but
no man ever heard me take part in such conversations; and none ever
misrepresented Mr. Adams in my presence without my asserting his just
character. With very confidential persons I have doubtless disapproved
of the principles and practices of his administration. This was
unavoidable. But never with those with whom it could do him any injury.
Decency would have required this conduct from me, if disposition had
not: and I am satisfied Mr. Adams's conduct was equally honorable
towards me. But I think it part of his character to suspect foul play
in those of whom he is jealous, and not easily to relinquish his
suspicions.

I have gone, my dear friend, into