Abigail Adams by Abigail Adams

Author:Abigail Adams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Library of America
Published: 2016-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

“RENEWED INSULTS”

To Mary Smith Cranch

Philadelphia, March 27, 1798

MY DEAR SISTER:

I received yesterday your kind Letter of March 19th, I expect a Letter every week if you have nothing else to say, but as Sterne observes, “how the Shadows Lengthen, as the Sun declines.” And this may be applied to the Moral as well as the Natural System. As we descend the Hill of Life, our gay and vissonary prospect vanish, and what gilded our Meridian days, our Zenith of Life, as the Shadows lengthen, we see through a different medium and may justly estimate many of our persuits, as vanity and vexation of spirit.

“But theres a Brighter world on high” which opens to us prospects more permanant, and pleasures more durable. To that let us aspire in the sure and certain hope, that by a patient Continuence in the path of Religion and Virtue, we shall assuredly reap, if we faint not, the happy fruits of a glorious immortality.

When I took my pen this morning, with the rising Sun, I did not think of moralizing thus, but the visions of the Night had left an impression upon my mind, and those visions were occasiond by reflections upon the dangerous and Hazardous situation into which our Country is brought, by that demoralizing, wicked and abandoned Nation, or Government of France. When no sacrifice on their part was required, when justice and Equity is all we wanted, when two repeated offers of accommodation have been generously offerd to them, they turn a Deaf Ear and refuse to listen either to the voice of Reason, or the call of Honor; but answer only by renewed insults and more audacious plunder. In this situation our Country is calld upon to put themselves in a state of defence, and to take measures to protect themselves by Sea. This is calld a declaration of war on the part of the President, by those who would gladly see their Government prostrate, Religion banishd and I do not know if I should judge too hardly if I said our Country Shared by France. That war will not be the concequence of the conduct of France towards us is more than I can say; it certainly leads to it, as the most probable Event. But the President did not make our difficulties, nor has the Government. No Nation has more strictly adhered to nutrality, none sufferd so much, none bourn with more patience the spoiling of their Property.

Union is what we want, but that will not be easily obtaind. It is difficult to make the people see their danger, untill it is at their doors, or rouse untill their country is invaded. The Senate are strong. They are much more united in their measures than the House. There is an attempt in this city to get a petition signed to congress declaring their determination not to go to war with France, and they hope to sit this measure in opperation through the different States. Is it possible that any

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