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[Illustration: Painted by Blythe Engraved by O. Pelton

From a Portrait taken at the age of 21]




   FAMILIAR LETTERS OF JOHN ADAMS
   AND HIS WIFE ABIGAIL ADAMS,
   DURING THE REVOLUTION.

   WITH A

   MEMOIR OF MRS. ADAMS.

   BY
   CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.



   NEW YORK:
   PUBLISHED BY HURD AND HOUGHTON.
   CAMBRIDGE: THE RIVERSIDE PRESS.
   1876.




   Copyright, 1875,
   BY CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.


   RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE:
   STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY
   H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMPANY.




PREFACE.


Thirty-five years ago a collection of letters written during the period
of the Revolution and later, by John Adams and his wife, Abigail Adams,
came into my hands. They interested me so much that I thought they might
possibly interest others also, especially the growing generations not
familiar with the history of the persons and events connected with the
great struggle. The result was an experiment in publication, first, of a
selection from the letters of Mrs. Adams addressed to her husband; and,
at a later moment, of a selection from his replies. The first series
proved so acceptable to the public that it ran through four large
editions in eight years. The second, though slower of sale, has likewise
been long since exhausted. Applications have been made to me from time
to time for information where copies of either might be had, to which I
could give no satisfactory answer. I purchased