John Adams had gone down to Quincy, and the frigate called there to receive him on board.

On the eve of embarkation he wrote the following simple and touching letter to Mrs.
Adams: "Uncle Quincy's,--half after 11 o'clock, 13 February, 1778.
"DEAREST OF FRIENDS, "I had not been twenty minutes in this house, before I had the happiness to see Captain Tucker and a midshipman coming for me.

We will be soon on board, and may God prosper our voyage in every stage of it as much as at the beginning, and send to you, my dear children, and all my friends, the choicest blessings! "So wishes and prays yours, with an ardor that neither absence, nor any other event can abate, "JOHN ADAMS.
"P.

S.Johnny sends his duty to his mamma, and his love to his sisters and brothers.

He behaves like a man." "He behaves like a man!"-- Words which gave presage of the future character of John Quincy Adams.