|
MasterCord -> John and Abigail Adams (2/24/2011 11:35:22 AM)
|
I have a special interest in the period of American history that spanned the 1750's to the early 1800's. I've always admired the relationship John Adams had with his wife Abigail. Political controversies that were based on their partnership aside for the moment, (Abigail is often cited as the REAL author of the awful "Alien & Sedition Acts") these two had an enduring love and respect that allowed all manner of banter to relieve the tension of what were often very trying times in their lives. The exchange quoted below is one such playful pair of missives written when Adams was in Philadelphia rooting for independence, and Abigail was home in Massachusetts.
For those with a sensitivity to his reference to Negroes and Indians, I copied it into my post for historical accuracy. There is no intent to insult anyone.
LETTERS BETWEEN ABIGAIL ADAMS
AND HER HUSBAND JOHN ADAMS
MARCH 31, 1776
ABIGAIL ADAMS TO JOHN ADAMS
"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 and be more generous and favorable 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 particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, 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 tide of master for the more tender and endearing one of friend.
"Why, then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and 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 (servants) of your sex; regard us then as being placed by Providence under your protection, and in imitation of the Supreme Being make use of that power only for our happiness."
APRIL 14, 1776
JOHN ADAMS TO ABIGAIL ADAMS
"As to your extraordinary code of laws, I cannot but laugh.
"We have been told that our struggle has loosened the bonds of government everywhere; that children and apprentices were disobedient; that schools and colleges were grown turbulent; that Indians slighted their guardians, and negroes grew insolent to their masters.
"But your letter was the first intimation that another tribe, more numerous and powerful than all the rest, were grown discontented.
"This is rather too coarse a compliment, but you are so saucy, I won't blot it out.
"Depend upon it, we know better than to repeal our masculine systems. Although they are in full force, you know they are little more than theory. We dare not exert our power in its full latitude. We are obliged to go fair and softly, and, in practice, you know we are the subjects.
"We have only the name of masters, and rather than give up this, which would completely subject us to the despotism of the petticoat, I hope General Washington and all our brave heroes would fight."
|
|
|
|
