 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
TO JOHN ADAMS.
If I was certain I should welcome you to your native
land in the course of the summer, I should not regret
Mr. Smith's going abroad without me. Should
it be otherwise, should you still be detained abroad,
I must submit, satisfied that you judge best, and that
you would not subject me to so heavy a disappointment,
or yourself to so severe a mortification as I
flatter myself it would be, but for the general good.
A European life, would, you say, be the ruin of our
children. If so, I should be as loth as you to hazard
their imbibing sentiments and opinions, which might
make them unhappy in a sphere of life, which 't is
probable they must fill, not by indulging in luxuries
for which it is more than possible they might contract
a taste and inclination, but in studious and laborious
pursuits.
You have before this day received a joint commission
for forming a commercial treaty with Britain.
I am at a loss to determine whether you will consider
yourself so bound by it, as to tarry longer abroad.
Perhaps there has been no juncture in the public affairs
of our country, not even in the hour of our
deepest distress, when able statesmen and wise counsellors
were more wanted than at the present day.
Peace abroad leaves us at leisure to look into our own
national debt, it appears but as the small dust of the
balance when compared to the object we have obtained,
and the benefits we have secured, yet the
restless spirit of man will not be restrained; and we
have reason to fear, that domestic jars and confusion
will take place of foreign contentions and devastation.
Congress have commuted with the army, by
engaging to them five years' pay in lieu of half-pay
for life. With security for this, they will disband
contented; but our wise legislators are about disputing
the power of Congress to do either, without considering
their hands in the mouth of the lion, and that,
if the just and necessary food is not supplied, the outrageous
animal may become so ferocious as to spread
horror and devastation. Another Theseus may arise,
who, by his reputation and exploits of valor, his
personal character and universal popularity, may
destroy our Amphictyonic system, and subjugate our
infant republic to monarchical domination.
Our House of Representatives is this year composed
of more than a hundred new members, some
of whom, no doubt, are good men. Nearly all the
able and skilful members, who composed the last
House, have lost their seats by voting for the return
of Mr. Brattle, notwithstanding the strongest evidence
in his favor, and the many proofs which were produced
of his friendly conduct towards America. For
this crime, our worthy friend Mr. Cranch was dropped
by this town. The Senate is a loser this year,
by the resignation of some excellent members. We
an excise act, whilst the neighbouring States have
neither. Foreigners, finding this the case, carry
their cargoes to other States. At this the merchant
grumbles, the farmer groans with his taxes, and the
mechanic for want of employ. Heaven avert, that,
like the Greek republics, we should, by civil dissension,
weaken our power and crush our rising greatness,
that the blood of our citizens should be shed in
vain, and the labor and toil of our statesmen be
finally baffled through niggardly parsimony, lavish
prodigality, or ignorance of our real interests. We
want a Solomon in wisdom, to guide and conduct
this great people at this critical era, when the counsels
which are taken and the measures which are
pursued will mark our future character, either with
honor and fame, or disgrace and infamy. In adversity,
we have conducted with prudence and magnanimity.
Heaven forbid that we should grow giddy
with prosperity; or the height, to which we have
soared, render a fall conspicuously fatal.
Thus far I had written when your welcome favor
of March 28th reached me. I was not disappointed
in finding you uncertain with regard to the time of
your return. Should the appointment, which I fear
and you have hinted at, take place, it would indeed
be a dull day to me. I have not a wish to join in a
scene of life so different from that, in which I have
been educated, and in which my early, and, I must
suppose, happier days, have been spent. Curiosity
satisfied, and I shall sigh for tranquil scenes,
The whispering zephyr and the purling rill."
Well-ordered home is my chief delight, and the
affectionate, domestic wife, with the relative duties
which accompany that character, my highest ambition.
It was the disinterested wish of sacrificing
my personal feelings to the public utility, which first
led me to think of unprotectedly hazarding a voyage.
I say unprotectedly, for so I consider every lady,
who is not accompanied by her husband. This
objection could only be surmounted by the earnest
wish I had to soften those toils which were not to be
dispensed with; and, if the public welfare required
your labors and exertions abroad, I flattered myself
that, if I could be with you, it might be in my power
to contribute to your happiness and pleasure. But
the day is now arrived, when, with honor and well-earned
fame, you may return to your native land;
when I cannot any longer consider it as my duty to
submit to a further separation; and when it appears
necessary, that those abilities, which have crowned
you with laurels abroad, shall be exerted at home
for the public safety.
I do not wish you to accept an embassy to England,
should you be appointed. This little cottage
has more heart-felt satisfaction for you than the
most brilliant court can afford.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |