I’m a Fan

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inAbigail Adams, LanguageTags:, ,

“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.”
Abigail Adams, The Letters of John and Abigail Adams

 Abigail

I have become a fan of Abigail Adams on Goodreads.  Abigail, the wife of John Adams, was as feisty as she was brilliant, eloquent as she was forthright, courageous as she was compassionate.  Wife of the second and mother to the sixth president (John Quincy Adams) of the United States, her letters are a testament to her influence during a time of nation-building. John and Abigail Adams spent a considerable amount of time apart; letters were a connecting force that motivated their actions.   The following is an excerpt from Abigail’s letter dated November 27, 1775 to her husband, John Adams, when he was in Philadelphia attending the Continental Congress.  As I read the message, I realized afresh that sacrifices have been made for the greater good.

“I am more and more convinced, that man is a dangerous creature; and that power, whether vested in many or a few, is every grasping, and, like the grave, cries “Give, give.”  The great fish swallow up the small; and he, who is most strenuous for the rights of the people, when vested with power is as eager after the prerogatives of government.  You tell me of degrees of perfection to which human nature is capable of arriving, and I believe it, but at the same time, lament that our admiration should arise from the scarcity of the instances…….

…..I believe I have tired you with politics; as to news we have not any at all. I shudder at the approach of winter, when I think I am to remain desolate.

I must bid you good night; ‘tis late for me, who am much of an invalid.  I was disappointed last week in receiving a packet by the post and, upon unsealing it, finding only four newspapers.  I think you are more cautious than you need be.  All letters, I believe, have come safe to hand.  I have sixteen from you, and wish I had as many more.

Adieu, yours.

Abigail”

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

32 thoughts on “I’m a Fan”

    1. Thank you!! She was made of stern stuff! I understand that John, her husband, relied heavily on her council. In my opinion, she would have made an excellent President! 🙂

      BTW, the Magic Carpet Ride was remarkable!

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      1. I thought the same thing (about making an excellent president) and i understand why he valued her feedback.

        i’m glad you enjoyed the magic carpet ride. it took almost three hours to upload!

        sigh, there are frustrations even in paradise!

        now it’s time to focus on the feast we’re about to have on the magic carpet ride!

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    1. I agree!!! I read the biography of George Washington and was distressed to learn that Martha Washington destroyed the letters that passed between George and herself! Oh well….

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  5. I’m a fan also. What a remarkable woman. One of my favorite historical non-fiction books, Founding Brothers, features 5 key American revolutionary players, of which Abigail Adams was one. The author Joseph Ellis is a noteworthy & extremely reputable historian & author. That she was featured is a testament to all she was/did. The love of her husband was also a key factor and shines a light on the power of marital equality under an umbrella of love.

    You sure can pick them, my friend. 🙂

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    1. I just read “His Excellency: George Washington” by Joseph Ellis, which was outstanding. I have just gone on Amazon and found “Founding Brothers” and now I see that Joseph Ellis has one on Thomas Jefferson. They are all available on Kindle!! Thank you!!! My reading list grows ever longer. So many good books to read, so little time!!! But that’s what makes it all the more exciting. 🙂

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  6. I remember seeing a movie about Adams and his wife. They had a wonderful relationship, and she was so supportive of him in all his endeavours. 🙂

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    1. And from what I read, John Adams relied heavily on Abigail’s ideas and suggestions. I can only imagine their dinner conversations!! Would love to have sat in on one of them. 🙂

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  7. I only knew a little about this second First Lady of America, a highly respected and a role model in the American public. Her letters were very strong encouragement to her husband and her concern for Americans. I think She is very worthy of the title as a true hero!… The perfect and delicate flowers to illustrate the tribute for her.

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    1. I agree wholeheartedly. Abigail Adams lived during a time of great peril. I especially appreciated her words:

      “These are times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed.”
      ― Abigail Adams

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  8. Very possible we in Canada may have a similar repeat like experience of father and son leader of the country, in this case, Prime Minister of Canada in the next election. Very different people from the Adams, but most interesting on the Canadian domestic and International scenes, looking at Pierre Trudeau the father, and Justin in the making personalities. Our present, one might venture say, leader, seems to be paving the road for an Adams like Canadian historical event in Canada in the next election. JJ

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    1. Thank you for your comments. I am following this very closely!! I recall when the Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into being.

      “Canada will be a strong country when Canadians of all provinces feel at home in all parts of the country, and when they feel that all Canada belongs to them.” Pierre Trudeau

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  9. I shouldn’t be perhaps, but I am struck by the quality of her writing, and the way she thinks, it seems so foreign in today’s world. And it also seems we have become a nation of quoters rather than original observers. Of course, we are also distracted at what would probably be a terrifying level to people from those days. And today we find that there are many politicians and blind followers who would oppress us all in the name of Freedom. We have not come so far as we might like to think….

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    1. A very insightful comment. Abigail Adams was a remarkable writer; her thoughts were constructed without malice and communicated in good faith. Without question, we must continue in her footsteps, for if we do not give voice to our time, our generation will be lost.Thomas Jefferson, as you know, was a good friend of John Adams. These men and women understood that what was at stake was freedom itself. We have big shoes to fill!!!

      “The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness. Government exists for the interests of the governed, not for the governors.”
      ― Thomas Jefferson

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    1. No I didn’t but will check it out! The one I watched was the miniseries “John Adams” starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney. Powerful!

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