Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams, During the Revolution: With a Memoir of Mrs. AdamsHurd and Houghton, 1876 - 424 pages |
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Page vi
... causes of the American Revolution , which they were not . There was a moral principle in the field , to the power of which a great majority of the whole population of the colonies , whether male or female , old or young , had been long ...
... causes of the American Revolution , which they were not . There was a moral principle in the field , to the power of which a great majority of the whole population of the colonies , whether male or female , old or young , had been long ...
Page xvi
... cause of the Writs of Assistants , there is evidence constantly presented of his active interest in the Revolutionary struggle . There is hardly a year in the interval between the earliest of these dates and 1774 , that the traces of ...
... cause of the Writs of Assistants , there is evidence constantly presented of his active interest in the Revolutionary struggle . There is hardly a year in the interval between the earliest of these dates and 1774 , that the traces of ...
Page xix
... cause which interests the whole globe , " he says , " at a time when my friends and country are in such keen distress , I am scarcely ever interrupted in the least degree by apprehen- sions for my personal safety . I am often concerned ...
... cause which interests the whole globe , " he says , " at a time when my friends and country are in such keen distress , I am scarcely ever interrupted in the least degree by apprehen- sions for my personal safety . I am often concerned ...
Page xxii
... causes for anxiety which would naturally have occurred to her mind , there was superadded one growing out of a rumor then in circulation , that some British emissary had made an attempt upon the life of Dr. Franklin whilst acting at ...
... causes for anxiety which would naturally have occurred to her mind , there was superadded one growing out of a rumor then in circulation , that some British emissary had made an attempt upon the life of Dr. Franklin whilst acting at ...
Page xxix
... cause of thankfulness , that I have lived so long and enjoyed so large a portion of happiness as has been my lot . The greatest source of unhappiness I have known in that period has arisen from the long and cruel separations which I was ...
... cause of thankfulness , that I have lived so long and enjoyed so large a portion of happiness as has been my lot . The greatest source of unhappiness I have known in that period has arisen from the long and cruel separations which I was ...
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Common terms and phrases
ABIGAIL ADAMS able Adieu agreeable America anxiety army arrived believe Bilbao blessings Boston Braintree brother Captain character Charlestown Colonel colonies Comte d'Estaing Congress Continental army danger dear DEAREST FRIEND distress duty enemy England expect father favor fear feel Ferrol fleet France frigate gentlemen give Grape Island hand happy hear heard heart Heaven honor hope hundred inclosed Island JOHN ADAMS John Quincy Adams lady letters liberty live March Massachusetts men-of-war ment mind morning Mount Wollaston never night obliged officers opportunity peace person Philadelphia pleasure politics PORTIA Pray present province Quincy received sailed Samuel Adams scarcely sent sentiments spirit suppose taken tell tender things thought tion Tories town vessel virtue Warren Washington week Weymouth whole wish write yesterday York
Popular passages
Page 162 - The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.
Page 360 - But neither breath of morn, when she ascends With charm of earliest birds; nor rising sun On this delightful land ; nor herb, fruit, flower, Glistering with dew; nor fragrance after showers, Nor grateful evening mild; nor silent night, With this her solemn bird ; nor walk by moon, Or glittering star-light, without thee is sweet.
Page 162 - You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory.
Page 118 - 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.
Page 76 - This day be bread and peace my lot ; All else beneath the sun Thou know'st if best bestowed or not, And let thy will be done.
Page 142 - That it be recommended to the respective Assemblies and Conventions of the United Colonies, where no government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such Government as shall, in the opinion of the Representatives of the People, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular and America in general.
Page 159 - Yesterday, the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater, perhaps, never was nor 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 other acts and things which other States may rightfully do.
Page 100 - I could not join to-day in the petitions of our worthy pastor for a reconciliation between our no longer parent state, but tyrant state, and these colonies. Let us separate ; they are unworthy to be our brethren. Let us renounce them ; and, instead of supplications, as formerly, for their prosperity and happiness, let us beseech the Almighty to blast their counsels, and bring to nought all their devices.
Page 32 - Duch6, unexpectedly to everybody, struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present. I must confess I never heard a better prayer, or one so well pronounced. Episcopalian as he is, Dr. Cooper himself never prayed with such fervor, such ardor, such earnestness and pathos, and in language so elegant and sublime — for America, for the Congress, for the province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the town of Boston.
Page 64 - Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay: Princes and lords may flourish, or may fade ; A breath can make them, as a breath has made: But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroyed, can never be supplied.