Abigail Adams to John Adams: “Remember the Ladies,” 1776
Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31–April 5, 1776 (Massachusetts Historical Society)
This letter, which Abigail Adams wrote to her husband, John, over several days in 1776, combines news of hardships at home and the situation in Boston with reports of mumps, smallpox, and convulsion fits. The letter also contains Abigail’s advice about a new form of government. She charges her husband not to repeat the mistakes of his ancestors and warns that, like the rebels her husband leads, the ladies will not live under a system without proper governmental representation.
A Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31–April 5, 1776
Braintree March 31 1776
I wish you would ever write me a Letter half as long as I write you; and tell me if you may where your Fleet are gone? What sort of Defence Virginia can make against our common Enemy? Whether it is so situated as to make an able Defence? Are not the Gentery Lords and the common people vassals, are they not like the uncivilized Natives Brittain represents us to be? I hope their Riffel Men who have shewen themselves very savage & even Blood thirsty; are not a specimen of the Generality of the people.
I [illegible] am willing to allow the Colony great merrit for having produced a Washington but they have been shamefully duped by a Dunmore.
I have Sometimes been ready to think that the passion for Liberty cannot be Eaquelly Strong in the Breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow Creatures of theirs. Of this I am certain that it is not founded upon that generous & christian principal of doing to others as we would that others should do unto us.
Do not you want to see Boston; I am fearfull of the small pox, or I should have been in before this time. I got Mr. Crane to go to our House & see what state it was in, I find it has been occupied by one of the Doctors of a Regiment, very dirty, but no other damage has been done to it. The few things which were left in it are all gone. Cranch has the key which he never deliverd up. I have wrote to him for it & am determined to get it cleand as soon as possible & shut it up. I look upon it a new acquisition of property, a property which one month ago I did not value at a single Shilling, and could with pleasure have seen it in flames.
The Town in General is left in a better State than we expected, more oweing to a percipitate flight than any Regard to the inhabitants, tho some individuals Discoverd a sense of honour & justice & have left the rent of the Houses in which they were, for the owners & the furniture unhurt, or if Damaged sufficent to make it good.
Others have committed abominable Ravages. The Mansion House of your President is safe and the furniture unhurt whilst both the House and Furniture of the Solisiter General have fallen a prey to their own merciless party. Surely the very Fiends feel a Reverential awe for Virtue & patriotism, whilst they Detest the paricide & traitor.
I feel very differently at the approach of spring to what I did a month ago. We knew not then whether we could plant or Sow with Safety, whether when we had toild we could reap the fruits of our own industery, whether we could rest in our own Cottages, or whether we should not be driven from the sea coasts to Seek Shelter in the wilderness, but now we feel as if we might Sit under our own vine and eat the good of the land.
I feel a gaieti de Coar to which before I was a Stranger. I think the Sun looks brighter, the Birds sing more melodiously, & Nature puts on a more chearfull countanance. We feel a temporary peace, and the poor fugitives are returning to their deserted habitations.
Tho we felicitate ourselves, we sympathize with those who are trembling least the Lot of Boston should be theirs. But they cannot be in similar circumstances unless pusilanimity & cowardise Should take possession of them. They have time and warning given them to see the Evil & shun it. — I long to hear that you have declared an independency — and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, & be more generous & favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care & attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender & endearing one of Friend. Why then, not put it out of the power of the vicious & the Lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity. Men of Sense in all Ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your Sex. Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your protection & in immitation of the Supreem Being make use of that power only for our happiness.
April 5
Not having an opportunity of sending this I shall add a few lines more; tho not with a heart so gay. I have been attending the sick chamber of our Neighbour Trot whose affliction I most Sensibly feel but cannot discribe, striped of two Lovely children in one week. Gorge the Eldest died on wedensday & Billy the youngest on fryday, with the Canker fever, a terible disorder so much like the throat distemper, that it differs but little from it. Betsy Cranch has been very bad, but upon the recovery. Becky Peck they do not expect will live out the day. Many grown persons are now Sick with it, in this street 5. It rages much in other Towns. The Mumps too are very frequent. Isaac is now confined with it. Our own little flock are yet well. My Heart trembles with anxiety for them. God preserve them.
I want to hear much oftner from you than I do. March was the last date of any that I have yet had. — You inquire of whether I am making Salt peter. I have not yet attempted it, but after Soap making believe I shall make the experiment. I find as much as I can do to manufacture cloathing for my family which would else be Naked. I know of but one person in this part of the Town who has made any, that is Mr. Tertias Bass as he is calld who has got very near an hundred weight which has been found to be very good. I have heard of some others in the other parishes. Mr. Reed of Weymouth has been applied to, to go to Andover to the mills which are now at work, & has gone. I have lately seen a small Manuscrip describing the proportions for the various Sorts of powder, fit for cannon, small arms & pistols. If it would be of any Service your way I will get it transcribed & send it to you. — Every one of your Friends send their Regards, and all the little ones. Your Brothers youngest child lies bad with convulsion fitts. Adieu. I need not say how much I am Your ever faithfull Friend.
Source: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March–5 April 1776 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive, Massachusetts Historical Society
A Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31–April 5, 1776
Braintree March 31 1776
I wish you would ever write me a Letter half as long as I write you; and tell me if you may where your Fleet are gone? What sort of Defence Virginia can make against our common Enemy? . . . I hope their Riffel Men who have shewen themselves very savage & even Blood thirsty; are not a specimen of the Generality of the people.
I am willing to allow the Colony great merrit for having produced a Washington but they have been shamefully duped by a Dunmore.
I have Sometimes been ready to think that the passion for Liberty cannot be Eaquelly Strong in the Breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow Creatures of theirs. Of this I am certain that it is not founded upon that generous & christian principal of doing to others as we would that others should do unto us.
. . . I long to hear that you have declared an independency — and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, & be more generous & favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care & attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender & endearing one of Friend. . . . Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your protection & in immitation of the Supreem Being make use of that power only for our happiness.
April 5
Not having an opportunity of sending this I shall add a few lines more; tho not with a heart so gay. I have been attending the sick chamber of our Neighbour . . . whose affliction I most Sensibly feel but cannot discribe, striped of two Lovely children in one week . . . Many grown persons are now Sick with it, in this street 5. It rages much in other Towns. The Mumps too are very frequent . . . Our own little flock are yet well. My Heart trembles with anxiety for them. God preserve them.
I want to hear much oftner from you than I do. March was the last date of any that I have yet had.— You inquire of whether I am making Salt peter. I have not yet attempted it, but after Soap making believe I shall make the experiment. I find as much as I can do to manufacture cloathing for my family which would else be Naked . . . Every one of your Friends send their Regards, and all the little ones. Your Brothers youngest child lies bad with convulsion fitts. Adieu. I need not say how much I am Your ever faithfull Friend.
Source: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March–5 April 1776 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive, Massachusetts Historical Society.
tyrannical – cruel use of power
A Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31–April 5, 1776
Braintree March 31 1776
I wish you would ever write me a Letter half as long as I write you;
. . . I long to hear that you have declared an independency — and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies. . . . Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. . . . If perticuliar care & attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
Source: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March–5 April 1776 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Background
This letter, which Abigail Adams wrote to her husband, John, over several days in 1776, combines news of hardships at home and the situation in Boston with reports of mumps, smallpox, and convulsion fits. The letter also contains Abigail’s advice about a new form of government. She charges her husband not to repeat the mistakes of his ancestors and warns that, like the rebels her husband leads, the ladies will not live under a system without proper governmental representation.
Transcript
A Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31–April 5, 1776
Braintree March 31 1776
I wish you would ever write me a Letter half as long as I write you; and tell me if you may where your Fleet are gone? What sort of Defence Virginia can make against our common Enemy? Whether it is so situated as to make an able Defence? Are not the Gentery Lords and the common people vassals, are they not like the uncivilized Natives Brittain represents us to be? I hope their Riffel Men who have shewen themselves very savage & even Blood thirsty; are not a specimen of the Generality of the people.
I [illegible] am willing to allow the Colony great merrit for having produced a Washington but they have been shamefully duped by a Dunmore.
I have Sometimes been ready to think that the passion for Liberty cannot be Eaquelly Strong in the Breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow Creatures of theirs. Of this I am certain that it is not founded upon that generous & christian principal of doing to others as we would that others should do unto us.
Do not you want to see Boston; I am fearfull of the small pox, or I should have been in before this time. I got Mr. Crane to go to our House & see what state it was in, I find it has been occupied by one of the Doctors of a Regiment, very dirty, but no other damage has been done to it. The few things which were left in it are all gone. Cranch has the key which he never deliverd up. I have wrote to him for it & am determined to get it cleand as soon as possible & shut it up. I look upon it a new acquisition of property, a property which one month ago I did not value at a single Shilling, and could with pleasure have seen it in flames.
The Town in General is left in a better State than we expected, more oweing to a percipitate flight than any Regard to the inhabitants, tho some individuals Discoverd a sense of honour & justice & have left the rent of the Houses in which they were, for the owners & the furniture unhurt, or if Damaged sufficent to make it good.
Others have committed abominable Ravages. The Mansion House of your President is safe and the furniture unhurt whilst both the House and Furniture of the Solisiter General have fallen a prey to their own merciless party. Surely the very Fiends feel a Reverential awe for Virtue & patriotism, whilst they Detest the paricide & traitor.
I feel very differently at the approach of spring to what I did a month ago. We knew not then whether we could plant or Sow with Safety, whether when we had toild we could reap the fruits of our own industery, whether we could rest in our own Cottages, or whether we should not be driven from the sea coasts to Seek Shelter in the wilderness, but now we feel as if we might Sit under our own vine and eat the good of the land.
I feel a gaieti de Coar to which before I was a Stranger. I think the Sun looks brighter, the Birds sing more melodiously, & Nature puts on a more chearfull countanance. We feel a temporary peace, and the poor fugitives are returning to their deserted habitations.
Tho we felicitate ourselves, we sympathize with those who are trembling least the Lot of Boston should be theirs. But they cannot be in similar circumstances unless pusilanimity & cowardise Should take possession of them. They have time and warning given them to see the Evil & shun it. — I long to hear that you have declared an independency — and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, & be more generous & favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care & attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender & endearing one of Friend. Why then, not put it out of the power of the vicious & the Lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity. Men of Sense in all Ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your Sex. Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your protection & in immitation of the Supreem Being make use of that power only for our happiness.
April 5
Not having an opportunity of sending this I shall add a few lines more; tho not with a heart so gay. I have been attending the sick chamber of our Neighbour Trot whose affliction I most Sensibly feel but cannot discribe, striped of two Lovely children in one week. Gorge the Eldest died on wedensday & Billy the youngest on fryday, with the Canker fever, a terible disorder so much like the throat distemper, that it differs but little from it. Betsy Cranch has been very bad, but upon the recovery. Becky Peck they do not expect will live out the day. Many grown persons are now Sick with it, in this street 5. It rages much in other Towns. The Mumps too are very frequent. Isaac is now confined with it. Our own little flock are yet well. My Heart trembles with anxiety for them. God preserve them.
I want to hear much oftner from you than I do. March was the last date of any that I have yet had. — You inquire of whether I am making Salt peter. I have not yet attempted it, but after Soap making believe I shall make the experiment. I find as much as I can do to manufacture cloathing for my family which would else be Naked. I know of but one person in this part of the Town who has made any, that is Mr. Tertias Bass as he is calld who has got very near an hundred weight which has been found to be very good. I have heard of some others in the other parishes. Mr. Reed of Weymouth has been applied to, to go to Andover to the mills which are now at work, & has gone. I have lately seen a small Manuscrip describing the proportions for the various Sorts of powder, fit for cannon, small arms & pistols. If it would be of any Service your way I will get it transcribed & send it to you. — Every one of your Friends send their Regards, and all the little ones. Your Brothers youngest child lies bad with convulsion fitts. Adieu. I need not say how much I am Your ever faithfull Friend.
Source: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March–5 April 1776 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive, Massachusetts Historical Society
Excerpt
A Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31–April 5, 1776
Braintree March 31 1776
I wish you would ever write me a Letter half as long as I write you; and tell me if you may where your Fleet are gone? What sort of Defence Virginia can make against our common Enemy? . . . I hope their Riffel Men who have shewen themselves very savage & even Blood thirsty; are not a specimen of the Generality of the people.
I am willing to allow the Colony great merrit for having produced a Washington but they have been shamefully duped by a Dunmore.
I have Sometimes been ready to think that the passion for Liberty cannot be Eaquelly Strong in the Breasts of those who have been accustomed to deprive their fellow Creatures of theirs. Of this I am certain that it is not founded upon that generous & christian principal of doing to others as we would that others should do unto us.
. . . I long to hear that you have declared an independency — and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, & be more generous & favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care & attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender & endearing one of Friend. . . . Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your protection & in immitation of the Supreem Being make use of that power only for our happiness.
April 5
Not having an opportunity of sending this I shall add a few lines more; tho not with a heart so gay. I have been attending the sick chamber of our Neighbour . . . whose affliction I most Sensibly feel but cannot discribe, striped of two Lovely children in one week . . . Many grown persons are now Sick with it, in this street 5. It rages much in other Towns. The Mumps too are very frequent . . . Our own little flock are yet well. My Heart trembles with anxiety for them. God preserve them.
I want to hear much oftner from you than I do. March was the last date of any that I have yet had.— You inquire of whether I am making Salt peter. I have not yet attempted it, but after Soap making believe I shall make the experiment. I find as much as I can do to manufacture cloathing for my family which would else be Naked . . . Every one of your Friends send their Regards, and all the little ones. Your Brothers youngest child lies bad with convulsion fitts. Adieu. I need not say how much I am Your ever faithfull Friend.
Source: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March–5 April 1776 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive, Massachusetts Historical Society.
tyrannical – cruel use of power
Excerpt 100
A Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31–April 5, 1776
Braintree March 31 1776
I wish you would ever write me a Letter half as long as I write you;
. . . I long to hear that you have declared an independency — and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies. . . . Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. . . . If perticuliar care & attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
Source: Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March–5 April 1776 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive, Massachusetts Historical Society.
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