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From the Massachusetts Historical Society. Not to be reproduced without permission.

 

My Dear Mrs. Warren

 

 

The die is cast. -- Yesterday

brought us such a Speach from the Throne as will

forever stain with everlasting infamy the reign of Gorge

the 3 determined to carry into Execution "the acts passd

by the late parliment, and to mantain the authority

of the Legislative over all his dominions." The

reply of the house of commons & the house of Lords

shew us the most wicked & hostile measures will

be persued against us -- even with out

giving us an opportunity to be heard in our defence

Infatuated Brittain! poor distressed america.

Heaven only knows what is next to take place

but it seems to me the Sword is now our only, yet duti-

ful alternative -- and the fate of Rome will be

renued in Brittain. She who has been the envy

of nations will now become an object of their Scorn

and abhorance, and as it was said of Rome that

she governd other people by her will but her own

by Law, they now behold her governd herself by

will, by the Arbitary will of the worst of her own

citizens, and arrived at that period which has been

foretold when the people co-operateing with the Enimies

of the constitution by Electing those to represent them

who are hired to betray them, or by submitting

 

 

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tamely when the mask is taken of or falls of and the

attempt to bring beggary & slavery is avoed or can

be no longer concealed. When this happens the

Friends of Liberty, should any such remain will have

one option Still left, and will rather chuse no doubt

to die last British freeman than bear to live the first

of British Slaves -- and this now seems to be all that

is left to americans with an unfeigned & penitant

suplications to that Being who delights in the

welfare of his creatures, and who we humbly hope

will engage on our side, & who if we must go

forth in defence of our injured and oppressed Country

will we hope deliver us from the hands of our

Enimies & those that persecute us. Tho an haste

should encamp against out hearts will not fear

Tho was Should wage rise against us, in this will

we be confident that the Lord reigneth Let thy Mercy o Lord be upon

us according as we hope in thee.

Mr Adams is in Boston.

I have not seen him since the news arrived royal

royal mandate arrived, nor have I been able to

learn any further news -- I wait for his return

with anxiety even tho I expect it

to be confirmed in all my apprehensions.

 

 

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Those who have most to loose have most to fear. the

natural timidity of our sex always seeks for a

releif and stands in the need of encouragement &

protection from of the other -- nor am I insensible

Thus far I wrote with a Heart

tremblingly anxious and was prevented from

persuing my Subject by companys comeing in --

Upon Mr. Adams'es return I experienced the truth

of your observation. He laughed at my fears

and in some Measure dispelld them -- made me

see that we were not called either rebels or Trators

told me that there was no other news by this Ship

and he still thought that their fears might have

weight with them -- I would not have my

Friend immagine that with all my fears and

apprehensions. I would give up one Iott Iota

of our rights and privilages -- I think upon

the Maturest deliberation I can say dreadful

as the day would be I had rather see the Sword

Drawn -- Let these truths says the admired

Farmer be indelibly impressed on our Minds

that we cannot be happy without being free

that we cannot be free without being secure

in our property -- that we cannot be secure in

 

 

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our property if without our consent others may

as by right take it away -- we know too well

the blessings of freedom, to tamely resign them

it -- and there really seems to be a ray of light

breaking thro the palpable darkness which has

for so long a time darkened our hemisphere and

threatened to overwhelm us in one common ruin

and I cannot but hope with you for a more favo-

rable Scenes -- and brighter days --Lord North

has luckily thought of a new explanation of

his Neroism -- what ever

may be their secret motives to change of Measures

is uncertain, but from their formour conduct

we have little shall have little reason to think that

justice or Humanity were the motives -- and

must ever mantain a jealous Eye over those who

have acted so repungant to all Laws both Humane

and Divine -- May justice & Liberty finally prevail

and the Friends of freedom enjoy that satisfaction

and tranquility which ever attends upright

intentions and is the sure recompence of virtue.

But is adverse Days are

Still alloted us, and which neither wisdom or prudence

can prevent, it must be a continual Source

 

 

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of Satisfaction that every method consistant with

reason and religion has have been adopted to avert the

calimities, but if Innocence must be exposed to Calumi-

ny and virtue become the object of percecution and

the upright individual fall a Sacrifice to his own

virtue, still we must not araign the Divine justice

whowhich acts not by partial but by general Laws

and may have very important and extensive

concequences to answer for the general good of

Society.

My Friend assures me that

She will comply with my request and gratify my cu-

riosity but at the same conditions with me. If I

comply it will be only to obtain from her a greater

value for a less -- a very selfish motive you will say

yes there are few who would withstand the temptation

I have an other motive too in complying which

I dare not own to her. Some future time perhaps

I may venture to -- in yours to Mr Adams you

seem to labour under apprehension least the severity

with which a certain group was Drawn was in compatable

with that Benevolence which ought always to be

predominant in the female character. Satire in the

hands of some is a dangerous weapon, but when it is

awakened only by the love of virtue and the abhorance

of vice, when truth is preserved, and the [ridiculous?]

 

 

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and vicious actions are alone the subject, it is so

far from blameable that it is certainly meritorious and

tho an Eagle's talon asks an Eagle's eye,

who combats virtues foe is virtues friend

and a keen Satire well applied has some times

found its way, when every persuasions, admonitions,

and Lectures of Morality have failed -- such is the

abhorance of humane nature when it diviates

from the path of rectitude to be presented in

its true coulours.

"Well may they Dread the Muses fatal skill

Well may they tremble when she Draws the quill

Her Magick quill that like Ithuriels Spear

Reveals the cloven hoof, or lengthen'd Ear

Bids vice & folly take their Nat'ral Shapes

Turns Counsellors to knaves & Beaux to apes

Drags the vile whisp'rer from his dark abode

Till all the Deamon starts up from the toad"

You will excuse me for

given my opinion unasked I will not forestall

our other Friend. he shall not know mine till

he has given his own -- give me leave to Quote

the opinion of a poet upn this subject

 

 

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"When virtue sinks beneath unnumberd foesWoes

And passions born her Friends revoult her foes

Tis Satires power; tis her corrective part

To calm the wild disorders of the heart

She points to arduous height were where glory lies

And teaches mad ambition to be wise

In the dark Bosome wakes the fair desire

Draws good from ill, a brighter flame from fire

Strips black oppression of her gay disguise

Ands bids the hag in native horrour rise

Strikes tow'ring pride and lawless rapine Dead

And plants the Wreath on Virtue's awful head."

I must intreat a compli-

ance with my other request it will be an additional

obligation conferd upon your much obliged

Friend

 

 

Abigail Adams

Done