Читать книгу First Ladies For Dummies - Marcus A. Stadelmann, Marcus A. Stadelmann PhD - Страница 58

After John Adams became President of the United States in 1797, he urged Abigail to move back to the capital still in Philadelphia. She took up the role of hostess, receiving visitors to the presidential mansion and held dinners attended by lawmakers and foreign diplomats.

She had become America’s second First Lady. Her functions included supervising a large staff and planning formal dinners in the President’s mansion.

Being president was similar to being a diplomat. Back then, presidents received a very low presidential salary but still were expected to entertain. This imposed a great financial burden on not only the president but the whole family. For an average July 4th celebration, the Adamses had to buy 200 pounds of cake and two ¼ casks of wine and rum to entertain all members of Congress and their families.