8 Mrs. President

Chapter 8 Mrs. President Abigail couldn't be in Philadelphia in 1797 when her husband was sworn in as the second president of the United States. She was caring for John's eighty-nine-year-old mother, who would die in her arms. John begged Abigail to join him. He wrote, "I

never wanted your Advice and assistance more in my Life." Abigail had avoided Philadelphia for five years, and she dreaded the exhausting trip on terrible, muddy roads. But when Abigail arrived she swung into action! She got up at 5:00 a.m. to write letters, plan the day, and organize the servants. Breakfast was at eight. She saw guests from eleven to two and had dinner with the family at three. After that she visited wives of men in the government until sundown. In the evening she held dinners for important people. She also organized giant celebrations for New Year's Day and July Fourth. Despite her full days, she still remained the president's advisor. Her husband said, "I can do nothing without you." She was so involved, people called her "Mrs. President." As Abigail feared, the presidency came with

many problems. One was the threat of war with France. While trying to reason with the French, John created the Department of the Navy. Abigail thought he should declare war, but John disagreed. Within the United States, John was under constant attack from his political enemies, no matter what he did. Their harsh words were misery for Abigail. She thought criticizing the president was treason, even when she agreed with the criticism! During the summer of 1798, while at home at Peacefield, Abigail fell so sick she feared she might die. John was home with her and said it was the "most gloomy summer" of his life. Abigail was still not well when John had to go back to Philadelphia without her in the fall. But as soon as she felt better, Abigail was able to supervise the building of a new barn. When Abigail finally joined John in Philadelphia, she brought their son Thomas, their daughter Nabby, and Nabby's daughter Caroline.

Another election was coming up soon. Abigail feared that her husband wouldn't win a second term as president in 1800. She knew that he would take defeat very personally. Then in December 1799, George Washington died at age sixty-seven. The whole country went into mourning. He was known as the father of the country. Indeed, people felt that they had suffered a personal loss. Abigail said, "No man ever lived more deservedly beloved and respected." A new capital city, Washington, was planned in his honor. Washington was much farther south, near Virginia. A new house for the president was being built there. It later became known as the White House.

THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE BUILDING OF THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE BEGAN IN 1792 AND WAS DONE MOSTLY BY SLAVES AND IMMIGRANTS. IT TOOK EIGHT YEARS, AND IT STILL WASN'T FINISHED WHEN THE ADAMSES MOVED IN. THE ORIGINAL BUILDING WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THREE STORIES HIGH AND MUCH BIGGER, BUT ITS SIZE HAD TO BE CUT BACK BECAUSE OF SHORTAGES OF MATERIALS AND LABOR. THE HOUSE WAS ORIGINALLY CALLED "THE PRESIDENT'S PALACE" OR

"THE PRESIDENT'S HOUSE," BUT IN TIME PEOPLE CALLED IT "THE WHITE HOUSE" BECAUSE OF ITS WHITEWASHED COLOR. IN 1814, DURING THE WAR OF 1812, THE BRITISH RANSACKED AND BURNED DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE. NOTHING WAS LEFT EXCEPT THE OUTSIDE WALLS, AND THEY HAD TO BE TORN DOWN. IT TOOK ONLY TWO YEARS TO REBUILD. IT WAS FINISHED IN 1817, THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ADDITIONS TO IT SINCE THEN.