From John Adams
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society
<Passy, September 22, 1778: In examining our joint accounts I
find some articles for which I have paid separately. For future
planning I propose we pay jointly for the wages and expenses
of the maître d’hôtel, cook, coachman and other servants, the
hire of horses and carriage, postage and expresses, and other
common expenses. If Dr. Franklin chooses to add the washerwoman’s
accounts or the expenses of a clerk for each of us I
have no objection. Receipts are to be taken for payments and
each party furnished monthly with a copy of the accounts,
with an opportunity to see the receipts. Expenses for clothing,
books, other personal items and pocket expenses are to be
paid separately. If another plan is more agreeable to Dr.
Franklin, Mr. Adams begs him to propose it. Accounts for our
sons at school may be added or not as he chooses. I expected
to pay my son’s subsistence myself and will do so if Congress
desires it, but as other gentlemen are maintaining, educating
and enjoying large families here, perhaps Congress may also
allow it to us, whose duties, labors and anxieties may be
greater.>
630659 = 027-449b.html