 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
TO JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
I cannot begin my letter by thanking you for yours.
You write so seldom that you do not give me the
opportunity. Yet I think you would feel disappointed
if you did not get a few lines from me. I congratulate
you upon your success at Commencement,
and, as you have acquired a reputation upon entering
the stage of the world, you will be no less solicitous
to preserve and increase it through the whole
drama. It is said of Hannibal, that he wanted
that, when he had gained a victory, he should knowhow
to use it. It is natural to the human heart, to
swell with presumption, when conscious of superior
power; yet all human excellence is comparative,
and he, who thinks he knows much to-day, will find
much more still unattained, provided he is still eager
in pursuit of knowledge.
Your friends are not anxious that you will be in
any danger through want of sufficient application,
but that a too ardent pursuit of your studies will impair
your health, and injure those bodily powers and
faculties upon which the vigor of the mind depends.
Moderation in all things is conducive to human happiness,
though this is a maxim little heeded by youth,
whether their pursuits are of a sensual or a more refined
and elevated kind.
It is an old adage, that a man at thirty must be
either a fool or a physician. Though you have not
arrived at that age, you would do well to trust to the
advice and experience of those who have. Our
bodies are framed of such materials as to require
constant exercise to keep them in repair, to brace
the nerves, and give vigor to the animal functions.
Thus do I give you "line upon line, and precept
upon precept."
By the time this reaches you, you will have heard
of the humiliating condition of Holland. History
does not furnish a more striking instance of abject
submission and depression, totally and almost unresistingly
conquered by a few Prussian troops; a nation,
force of Spain, and gave such proofs of bravery and
prowess as astonished surrounding nations, now humbled
to the dust by an imperious and haughty woman,
backed by the troops of Prussia, for a mere
trifling affront; or rather, this has been the specious
pretence for all the horrors which are brought upon
the patriots and friends of liberty in Holland. May
her name descend with eternal obloquy to future
ages.
Poor Dumas and family have lived in a state worse
than death; since to exist in constant dread of being
dragged a victim to an enraged mob, who were constantly
threatening him and his family with destruction,
is worse than death. His friends all forsook
him, or dared not appear in his behalf. He wrote a
most afflicting account to your father, and begged
him to claim protection for him, as acting for the
United States; but, as he never had any public
character, or, rather, never was commissioned by
Congress, it could not be done. Mr. Dumas, you
know, has been engaged in the service of France,
and has received a salary from that government, besides
his being opposed to the measures of the Stadt-holder;
all of which renders him particularly obnoxious
to the Princess and her party.
This nation piqued at the treaty of alliance
which was last winter made between France and
Holland, has been ever since seeking revenge, by
fomenting the troubles in Holland, and seized the
first opportunity she had in her power, to bully
state of the finances in France, and the dispute
between the King and his Parliament, all, all have
contributed to hasten the downfall of liberty in Holland.
England has held a very high tone, and given
it out, that, if France marched a single man to the
assistance of Holland, it should be considered as a
commencement of hostilities; and, from the conduct
of France, she appears to have been intimidated and
held in awe by it. This is another lesson to us not
" to put our trust in princes." England, not content
with the tame and pacific conduct of France, is arming
with a zeal and eagerness really astonishing to
every person of reflection, who can see no object
which she can have in view adequate to or a compensation
for the horror and distress she must bring upon
her subjects by the increase of expenses, and the
accumulation of the national debt.
If I was not present to see and hear it, I could
scarcely credit that a whole people should not only
tamely submit to the evils of war, but appear frantic
with joy at the prospect; led away by false glory,
by their passions and their vices, they do not reflect
upon past calamities nor approaching destruction;
and few of them have better reasons to offer for
their conduct, than the lady with whom I was in
company the other day, who hoped there would be
a war. "Pray," said I, "how can you wish so
much misery to mankind?" "O," said she, "if
there is a war, my brother and several of my friends
will be promoted." In the general flame, which
may have wisdom sufficient to keep herself out of
the fire. I am sure she has been a sufficiently burnt
child. Remember me to your brothers, if I do not
write to them.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |