FAMILIAR LETTERS

OF

JOHN AND ABIGAIL ADAMS.

(Published with the permission of Hon. Charles Francis Adams.)

JOHN and ABIGAIL ADAMS were married October 25, 1764. They lived partly in Boston, partly in Braintree, now Quincy. He left home August 10, 1774, as delegate to the Continental Congress, which met at Philadelphia, September 5. He left again April 14, 1775, to attend the second meeting of Congress in Philadelphia, May 10, and there remained, with the exception of two short visits at home, until after the Declaration of Independence. These are a part of his and his wife's letters during their separation.

JOHN AND ABIGAIL ADAMS.

1.

BRAINTREE, 15 August, 1774.

I KNOW not where this will find you, whether upon the road or at Philadelphia, but wherever it is, I hope it will find you in good health and spirits. Your journey, I imagine, must have been very tedious from the extreme heat of the weather and the dustiness of the roads. We are burnt up with the drought, having had no rain since you left us, nor is there the least appearance of any.

I was much gratified upon the return of some of your friends from Watertown, who gave me an account of your social dinner and friendly parting. May your return merit and meet with the grateful acknowledgments of every well-wisher to their country. Your task is difficult and important. Heaven direct and prosper you.

Our little ones send their duty to their papa, and that which at all times and in all places evermore attends you is the most affectionate regard of your ABIGAIL ADAMS.

2.

BRAINTREE, 19 August, 1774.

The great distance between us makes the time appear very long to ine. It seems already a month since

you left me.

The rocks and quickWhat course you can the bosom of futurity.

The great anxiety I feel for my country, for you, and for our family, renders the day tedious and the night unpleasant. sands appear upon every side. or will take is all wrapped in Uncertainty and expectation leave the mind great scope. Did ever any kingdom or state regain its liberty, when once it was invaded, without bloodshed? I cannot think of it without horror. Yet we are told that all the misfortunes of Sparta were occasioned by their too great solicitude for present tranquillity, and, from an excessive love of peace, they neglected the means of making it sure and lasting. They ought to have reflected, says Polybius, that "as there is nothing more desirable or advantageous than peace, when founded in justice and honor, so there is nothing more shameful, and at the same time more pernicious, when attained by bad measures and purchased at the price of liberty." I have received a most charming letter from our friend Mrs. Warren.1 She desires me to tell you that her best wishes attend you through your journey, both as a friend and a patriot.

I have taken a very great fondness for reading "Rollin's Ancient History" since you left me. I am determined to go through with it, if possible, in these my days of solitude. I find great pleasure and entertainment from it, and I have persuaded Johnny 2 to read me a page or two every day, and hope he will,

1 Mercy Warren, the sister of James Otis, and the wife of Colonel James Warren of Plymouth.

2 John Quincy Adams, then seven years old.