The Daring Book for Girls - Andrea J. Buchanan [69]
John’s passion for reading, like Abigail’s, drew them together, and they formed an extraordinary bond. They pored over important books of the time, by such authors as Adam Smith, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, discussing them at length and, at least on John’s part, making voluminous comments in the margins. As John grew more involved in public life, the couple developed relationships with important thinkers, including Abigail’s famous friendship with Mercy Otis Warren, who lived in nearby Plymouth and documented the American Revolution.
Between the years 1774 and 1783, John spent long stretches away from Abigail. He worked with the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to draft the Declaration of Independence. He went to France to join Benjamin Franklin in crafting the Treaty of Paris, which ended the War for Independence (also known as the American Revolution). Abigail stayed in Massachusetts to tend their four children and their home.
During this period, Franklin was the Postmaster General, multiplying post offices and introducing the stagecoach as a means of delivering mail reliably between the emerging States. John and Abigail made good use of this new postal system. We know of 284 letters between them from this time, thanks to their grandson, Charles Francis Adams, who kept and edited the letters, releasing them for the nation’s centennial in 1876. Throughout their lives, they wrote more than 1,100 letters to each other.
John to Abigail, Philadelphia, 29 March 1776
I give you joy of Boston and Charlestown, once more the Habitations of Americans. Am waiting with great Impatience for Letters from you, which I know will contain many Particulars. We are taking Precautions to defend every Place that is in [Danger]—The Carolinas, Virginia, N. York, Canada. I can think of nothing but fortifying Boston Harbour.
Abigail to John, Braintree, 31 March 1776
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 favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power in the hands of the Husbands…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 and endearing one of Friend.
John to Abigail, Philadelphia, 3 July 1776
Your Favour of June 17 dated at Plymouth, was handed me, by yesterday’s Post. I was much pleased to find that you had taken a journey to Plymouth, to see your Friends in the long Absence of one whom you may wish to see. The Excursion will be an Amusement, and will serve your Health. How happy would it have made me to have taken this journey with you?
Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony “that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States may rightfully do.” You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the Causes, which have impell’d Us to this mighty Revolution, and the Reasons which will justify it, in the Sight of God and Man. A Plan of Confederation will be taken up in a few days.
Abigail to John, Boston, Sunday, 14 July 1776
By yesterday’s post I received two Letters dated 3 and 4 of July and tho your Letters never fail to give me pleasure, be the subject what it will, yet it was greatly heightened by the prospect of the future happiness and glory of our Country; nor am I a little Gratified when I reflect that a person so nearly connected with me has had the Honour of being a principal actor, in laying a foundation for its future Greatness. May the foundation of our new constitution,