Letters of John and Abigail Adams

Reading the American Past: Letters of John and Abigail Adams

Introduction

  • Context of the correspondence between John and Abigail Adams during the deliberations of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

  • John Adams: Massachusetts delegate and a leader in the independence movement.

  • Abigail Adams: Remained at home, engaging in a correspondence reflecting determination and anxiety leading to the Declaration of Independence.

Correspondence Excerpts

John Adams to Abigail Adams ([Philadelphia, February 18, 1776])

  • Pamphlet Sent: John sends

    • Title: "Common Sense"

    • Purpose: Advocates against tyranny and oppression.

  • Expectations:

    • Belief that reconciliation with Britain is becoming increasingly unlikely and a despondent view of those expecting peace.

    • Describes a growing conviction among the people, especially in New England, regarding the Revolutionary cause.

  • War's Uncertainty:

    • "The Events of War are uncertain: We cannot insure Success, but We can deserve it."

  • Request for Updates:

    • Encourages Abigail to write as often as possible with news from home.

Abigail Adams to John Adams ([Braintree, Mass., March 2, 1776])

  • Tory Sentiments:

    • Wishes to eliminate Tories in America for undermining the independence cause.

  • Response to Common Sense:

    • Strongly supports the pamphlet's sentiments and expresses confidence in New England's assemblies supporting independence.

  • Condition of Anxiety:

    • Describes ongoing anxiety stemming from John's absence and the uncertainty of conflict outcomes.

    • Reports cannon fire indicating military engagements and expresses concern for those involved in the fighting.

Personal Reflections on the Conflict

  • March 3, 1776:

    • Describes continued cannon fire and lack of sleep, illustrating the emotional toll of the war.

  • March 4, 1776:

    • Shares a sense of dread regarding casualties among American soldiers during engagements at Dorchester Hill.

  • March 10, 1776:

    • Personal distress about the ongoing violence and its effects on the hearts of those involved.

    • Noted loss of four men during a critical engagement.

John Adams to Abigail Adams ([Philadelphia, March 19, 1776])

  • Personal Sacrifice for the Country:

    • Expresses a willingness to prioritize national interests above personal comforts and happiness.

  • Views on Common Sense:

    • Acknowledges mixed reviews, noting some respect the clarity while others criticize it for not addressing governmental structures effectively.

    • Reflects on public perception of the pamphlet and its misinformation about its authorship.

Abigail Adams to John Adams ([Braintree, March 31, 1776])

  • Desire for Communication:

    • Requests letters that are lengthier, inquiring about military readiness and societal situations in Virginia.

  • Reflections on Liberty:

    • Critique of those opposing liberty, questioning their commitment to it when they exploit others.

  • View on Women and Governance:

    • Asks John to consider women's rights in the formulation of new laws. Proposes efforts to include women’s voices in governance, warning against unchecked male authority.

John Adams to Abigail Adams ([Philadelphia, July 3, 1776])

  • Reflection on the Delay of Declaration:

    • Sees strategic advantages in delaying independence, allowing for public deliberation and unity among the colonies.

  • Significance of July 2, 1776:

    • Believes this date will be commemorated as a pivotal moment in American history, deserving of celebration and solemnity.

    • Expresses awareness of the costs of independence yet remains optimistic about its outcome for future generations.

Implications of the Correspondence

  • Human Cost of War:

    • Assertions of emotional turmoil experienced due to the warfare and its uncertainties.

  • Identity of America:

    • Discussion on the fundamental growth of national identity through shared experiences and deliberation on governance.

  • Women's Rights:

    • Abigail’s insistence on considering female perspectives and rights in shaping a new societal order, reflecting early advocacy for women’s rights within the context of revolutionary ideals.

Based on the primary sources, specifically the correspondence between John and Abigail Adams, we gain insight into several groups and their varying positions during the American Revolution. John Adams, as a Massachusetts delegate to the Second Continental Congress, represents the political leadership actively deliberating independence. He believed reconciliation with Britain was increasingly unlikely and saw strategic advantages in delaying the Declaration of Independence to ensure public deliberation and unity among the colonies. He was optimistic about the outcome for future generations, despite acknowledging the costs of independence.

Abigail Adams, remaining at home in Braintree, reflects the perspective of an engaged and politically aware spouse on the home front. She strongly supported the independence movement, praising "Common Sense" and wishing to eliminate Tories who undermined the cause. Her letters convey the intense anxiety and emotional toll of the war, reporting cannon fire and expressing dread over casualties. She also represents an early advocate for women's rights, questioning the commitment to liberty when others are exploited and asking John to consider women's voices in the new laws, warning against unchecked male authority.

Additionally, the correspondence implicitly references other groups: Tories, whom Abigail wished to eliminate for opposing independence, and those described by John as "expecting peace," indicating a faction still hoping for reconciliation. The mention of soldiers engaging in conflict and suffering casualties, as Abigail reports from Dorchester Hill, highlights the direct involvement of those fighting on the ground.

Summarizing different political views and expectations:

  • John Adams: Politically, he advocated for complete independence from Britain, seeing reconciliation as improbable. He believed in strategically timed political action to build consensus among the colonies. He expected the newly independent nation to be a monumental achievement, deserving of celebration for future generations, born out of significant sacrifice.

  • Abigail Adams: Her political views were fiercely supportive of the revolutionary cause and independence. She expected the new government to be radically different from the old, reflecting concerns for justice and inclusion, particularly for women. She anticipated significant personal and emotional distress due to the ongoing conflict and sought frequent updates on its progress.

  • Tories (as viewed by Abigail): Their perceived political view was opposition to American independence, often seen as undermining the revolutionary efforts.

  • Author of 'Common Sense' (Thomas Paine): The pamphlet's views, strongly supported by Abigail, advocated for outright independence and condemned tyranny and oppression.

Assessing the differences and similarities in motivations and actions:

Differences:

  • Motivations: John was driven by the grand political project of nation-building and securing liberty on a national scale, willing to prioritize national interests over personal comforts. Abigail was motivated by patriotism, profound concern for the safety and future of her family and nation, and an intersectional desire for social justice, specifically women's rights, within the new order.

  • Actions: John's actions were primarily in strategic political leadership, debating, and shaping policy within the Continental Congress. Abigail's actions involved managing the home front, observing local events, emotionally supporting the cause, and intellectually engaging in political commentary and advocacy through correspondence, influencing her husband.

Similarities:

  • Both John and Abigail were profoundly dedicated to the revolutionary cause and the ideal of liberty. Both expressed a willingness for personal sacrifice for what they deemed a greater national good. They shared a deep conviction in the moral righteousness of their fight against British oppression.

Consensual Political Opinion: A consensual political opinion emerging from these letters is the growing conviction among the people, particularly in New England, regarding the necessity of the Revolutionary cause and outright independence from Britain, especially after publications like "Common Sense." The rejection of British tyranny was a widely held belief.

These differences and similarities reveal that political thought in the late eighteenth century was complex and multifaceted:

  • Active and widespread engagement: Political thought was not confined to formal politicians but was also actively shaped and discussed by citizens like Abigail, demonstrating an informed public sphere even within gendered expectations.

  • Role of popular media: The impact of pamphlets like "Common Sense" highlights the power of written word in galvanizing public opinion and crystallizing revolutionary sentiment, making political ideas accessible to a broader audience.

  • Evolving definitions of 'liberty': While there was a consensus on breaking from British rule, the meaning and scope of 'liberty' were still being debated. Abigail's plea for women's rights shows that the revolutionary ideals immediately sparked questions about who was included in the new social contract, pushing the boundaries of political inclusion. This indicates that the political landscape was dynamic, with existing hierarchies being challenged even as a new nation was being formed.