Adams Family Correspondence, volume 12

William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams, 2 April 1798 Shaw, William Smith Adams, Abigail

William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams

My dear Aunt. Cambridge April 2d. 1798

Some lover of your nephews happiness, last thursday added something to the fragment of life, by placing in my hands your agreeable favor of March 20th. The pamphlet sent me, I give you my sincere thanks. Is not Mr. Pickering the author. As soon as I read it, I thought I could see in it his simple style and forcible reasoning. I had read both Scipio and Munroes view, before I received your letter, and think that the latter ought to be hung, even if he were guilty of no other crime than, that of thus betraying the secrets of our government.

I am sorry that my dear aunt should have so poor an opinion of the goodness of her nephews heart— I regret that she should think me so much of the Frenchman, as to suppose it were possible I could throw any sarcasm against the married state—a state which I have ever considered, as the foundation of community and the chief band of society, without which I sincerely believe there is no true solid happiness. I wanted to tell you, that my sister M was soon to be maried, the metaphor, to which you refer, came into my head— I was rather in a hurry, and immediately wrote it down, with out considering its propriety. I have since thought of it, and acknowledge it improper, but must beg of you to believe, that nothing was more opposite or distant from the sentiments of my heart, than any sarcasm against so holy, so sacred an institution.

Monday I went to the town meeting, called to take into consideration the allarming situation of publick affairs &c. You may easily believe that I was not a little provoked to see upwards of an hundred assembled, the most ignorant, unpricipled crew under Gods earth, to decide an interesting national question. I there heard men arraigning the administration of government, whom I knew did not understand half of the terms they used. Very few of the voters knew but little more than the boy of the jacobin, who after waiting on an entertainment of that society, & hearing their execrations against 477 Mr. Jays treaty being ordered in the evening to bring their carriages, burst into tears, begged of his master to excuse him from going, for he was afraid the treaty would catch him. There were lies there told which, would have ashamed even the devil himself. Dr. Hill, little in body and mind, and Judge Dana were the principle speakers. The latter spoke near an hour with elegance and energy. The former was very voluble in words, but as for his ideas, they were like needles hid in the hay. You may search all the day before you find them, & when you have them, they are not worth the search.1

Congress, as usual, seem to be doing little or nothing. They seem to forget that they are not the representatives of sansculotte Frenchmen, but of indepenent Americans. Why do they not put themselves in a defensive state? I believe the French would never have been such ravenous wolves, had they not seen so many of the Americans mere passive sheep. How can congress quetly set and see their country calumniated—their ministers insulted by an unprincipled, plundering, ferocious, bloody and tyranical nation,—a nation, whose government is anarchy, whose religion is atheism? This passive spirit is not confined to congress alone. The whole country seem to forget that they are men—that they have rights, which they ought to assert— which should not be violated with impunity. Every one ought to rise, indignant at the insults we have received. I should glory this moment, lame and weak as I am; in shouldering my firelock & swearing on the alter of my country, to fight the enemy, as long, as there was a particle of me left or a drop of blood to shed.

The federalists here do not sufficiently exert themselves to inform the people. We have very few good political pices in the Mercury or Centinel. We have not even the debates of congress. The chronicle, that speaking trumphet of the devel, is always filled with inflaming pieces, calculated to deceive ignorant people. Men of abilities ought not at the present time to live in retirement. I am an uninformed— unexperienced youth, but were “I a Fisher Ames or a Hamilton I should think myself almost a traitor to my country if I remained buried in my farm or spending my time pleading at the bar.”2

I suspect there are some jacobinical villains, postmasters between Boston & N.C. Williams from N.C. an intimate friend and classmate of mine, anxious that his father should read some of our Nothern papers, subscribed for the Mery. & Cenl. His father has written to him repeatedly, that the chronle. comes regularly twice a week, but that he does not receive more than a third of his papers. Russell & Minns botho say they send them regularly twice a week.3

478

Our frigate constitution, though crushed, like Hercules of old, in infancy in its cradle, is I am told almost ready for sail, and for strength & elegance is almost unequalled.4

I am very anxious to see the letters from our commissioners I suspect

“They will a tale unfold, whose lightest word Will harrow up my soul, freeze my young blood,”5

Have you heard from my cousins abroad lately. How does Cousin John’s wife do? Where is Johnson? I sincerely pitty the poor fellow? He is very poorly calculated for his situation. His ideas were always too aristocratical, to please even me & I have told him so repeatedly.

We have now completed our college studies & are excused from all college exercises. The day (21st of June) will soon be present, when I shall leave this seat of science.6 To me that day will be a day of sorrow. To leave the tender and affectionate smiles of some of my worthy classmates is my aunt, melancholy in the extreme. The idea I love not to cherish, but it is an idea which often obtrudes on the social hour—which makes its appearance when unlooked for, & when combined with the future prospects of my life, makes me miserable indeed. It was not for man to anticipate evil, but it impossible to prevent it. I have been pecularly happy, during my college life, in selecting a worthy few for my particular friends. & the tie is now drawn so close, that to dissever it, will be like dissevering a limb. We have lived, my aunt, like a band of brothers and the only point we ever contended was, who loved the most.

I have read all the debates on foreign intercouse, except Mr. Harper’s, of which I have heard much said. If you have the paper by you, which contains it or any of Porcupines & it is not too much trouble I wish you would send them to me7

I wish my Aunt would write to me more frequently, I am sure she would, if she knew how much pleasure, her letters always give me.

Please to me remember me affectionately to Uncle & cousin.

I have written you a long unconnected letter—I feel almost ashamed to send it.

You must, my dear aunt, accept the little all I have to offer, as freely as I give it; my love, esteem & gratitude which are indeed sincerely yours.

Wm S Shaw8

I have just received a letter from my mother, all are well but my dear sister & she continues unwell yet.

479 480

RC (Adams Papers); endorsed: “William S Shaw / April 2. 1798.”

On 2 April a town meeting was convened in Cambridge “to take into consideration the alarming situation of Public Affairs.” The outcome was the adoption of several resolutions and a petition to Congress declaring that “the National Neutrality ought to be preserved inviolate; and that to this end, no merchant vessels ought to sail armed” because doing so would be viewed by the constituents as “tantamount to War.” Dr. Aaron Hill (1757–1830), Harvard 1776, was a former selectman for Cambridge and a current representative for Middlesex County in the Mass. General Court (Boston Independent Chronicle, 2–5 April; Harvard Quinquennial Cat. ; Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630–1877, Boston, 1877, p. 461, 466; Mass., Acts and Laws , 1796–1797, p. 490).

Shaw quoted from the Philadelphia Porcupine’s Gazette, 6 March 1798, which noted that “the French are at this moment busied in accomplishing the prostration of the Federal Government,” and that “every man of talents should contribute his mite” to prevent “another revolution.”

William Williams (1776–1862), Harvard 1798, was the son of Elisha Williams of Scotland Neck, Halifax County, N.C. (Alexander Mackay-Smith, The Colonial Quarter Race Horse: America’s First Breed of Horses, [Middleburg, Va.], 1983, p. 276; “Recollections of Eclipse and Coeur-De Lion,” American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine, 1:274 [Feb. 1830]).

For the successful launch of the frigate Constitution on 21 Oct. 1797 and its eventual sailing on 22 July 1798, see Descriptive List of Illustrations, No. 10, above. Two earlier attempts to launch the vessel had been unsuccessful. JA attended the initial launch on 20 Sept. 1797, when the frigate advanced 27 feet toward the water before becoming mired in mud. The entry ramp was raised, and two days later a second attempt was made, resulting in the vessel’s sliding only another 31 feet (Massachusetts Mercury, 22 Sept.; Charles E. Brodine, Michael J. Crawford, and Christine F. Hughes, Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution, Washington, D.C., 2007, p. 7).

Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, scene v, lines 15–16.

Shaw was referring to the last meeting of the Harvard senior class prior to vacation and the 18 July 1798 commencement. Seniors gathered in the college chapel to hear valedictory exercises before retiring to the president’s house for refreshments with the faculty (“Class Day,” The Harvard Magazine, 4:313–317 [Oct. 1858]; Boston Russell’s Gazette, 19 July).

The Philadelphia Porcupine’s Gazette, 19, 29 March, 2 April, printed Robert Goodloe Harper’s 2 March speech on the foreign intercourse bill.

On 9 April AA wrote a brief letter to Shaw enclosing a pamphlet by Joseph Hopkinson and commenting on the literary achievements of Francis Hopkinson (DLC: Shaw Family Papers).

Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams, 4 April 1798 Adams, Abigail Adams, John Quincy

Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams

my Dear Son Philadelphia April 4 1798

I embrace this opportunity by mr Thornton Secretary to mr Liston the British Minister to write too you, and to Send you two Speeches upon the Foreign intercourse Bill, one by mr Gallatin, and one in reply, by mr Harper.1

I wrote to you last week by Way of Hamburgh:2 but we are still without a line from you of a private Nature; and have only learnt of your arrival at Berlin from your Letters to the secretary of state of Novbr 10 & 17th.

At this Eventfull period you must be greatly anxious for the 481 welfare of your Country; I wish it was in my power to remove your solisitude; but the present Rulers of Franc appear determined to drive us into War, or oblige us to submit to all their unjust and iniquitious depredations upon our commerce; and to all their evil machinations, against the Peace order and happiness of our Government.

Our Envoys to France are not yet returnd but they have reported to the Executive; that they have not any hopes of being received, tho they have waited five months for the purpose. In concequence of their communications, the President has thought fit to send the inclosed Message to both Houses.3 the purport of it, is considered in different Lights by the different Parties in the House. on one side they call it; an ultimatum, which is to decide the question, Peace or War. on the other; they contend that the measures recommended are merely defensive, and such as the safety security and independane of our Country loudly calls for: these are the subjects now in agitation. after what is past within your view for these 5 years, you will readily believe that the Government is encompassed with many dangers, and difficulties. wherever the Breath of French influence has been blown, Kingdoms and Countries, have more or less been agitated by the centending Huricane

The projected invasion of England is an attempt which I cannot permit myself to consider in a Serious light, or rather the success of the undertaking, for the benifit of Mankind. I believe we ought to wish it might be attempted, with every hope and wish that it may prove as abortive in reality, as it appears Chimerical in Idea. The House yesterday past a vote of call, for the Instructions to and dispatches from our Envoys; and to day they will receive them. they cannot therefore any longer complain that they are calld upon to Legislate in the dark.4

It would be improper for me to make any remarks. I can only add a hope that we may be induced to act, as a wise free, prudent and united People, and then with the Blessing of Heaven, we need not fear What Man can do towards us.

we are at present in the enjoyment of Health and of Plenty, but too supine; too regardless of the future, we hug the blessing we possess; and are loth to believe them in jeopardy. we want those strong passions roused, which awaken the faculties, and which suffer not a particle of the Man to be lost. There is says an admired Author, a courageous wisdom there is also a “false reptile prudence, the result not of caution but of fear, An abject distrust of ourselves, an 482 extravagant admiration of the Enemy.”5 this has been too much the case of our Countrymen, nor has it yet been intirely eradicated, tho a great Change has been wrought within these 2 years past.

I shall write to you by every opportunity, and most ardently long to hear from you and from yours. Mr Johnson has not received any Letters from you as yet or I am sure he would have communicated the intelligence as I frequently write to, and receive Letters from mrs Johnson. I have been dissapointed in her not comeing this winter here, and have little hope of seeing her untill an other Season; my Love to Mrs Adams and to Your Brother Thomas. I had Letters fr[om] N york last week.6 our Friends there were all well. Your [Father] Send you his Blessing. you know the reason why he does not write more frequently. in that respect I feel that I have the advantage of him.

I pray Heaven my dear son to preserve your Life, and to increase and continue your usefullness, for Providence has destined you to the service of your Country

I am your ever affectionate / Mother

Abigail Adams7

RC (Adams Papers); addressed by Louisa Catharine Smith: “John Quincy Adams / Minister at / Berlin—”; endorsed by TBA: “Mrs: A Adams / 4 April 1798 / 11 June Recd / 11 Do Acknd & ansd.” Tr (Adams Papers). Some loss of text where the seal was removed.

Having served as George Hammond’s secretary during his mission to the United States, Edward Thornton (1766–1852) was appointed secretary to the British legation in March 1796 and served as its chargé d’affaires between 1800 and 1804 ( DNB ).

AA wrote to JQA on 29 March 1798 noting that American attitudes toward France were becoming “more disposed to repel insult with due energy” and that she believed Congress would enact defensive measures. She also noted that no news about the envoys’ departure from France or dispatches from Berlin had been received (Adams Papers).

Enclosure not found. For JA’s message to Congress of 19 March, see AA to Mary Smith Cranch, 20 March, and note 1, above. On 3 April JA submitted to both houses of Congress copies of the instructions to and the dispatches from the commissioners, following the previous day’s resolution of the House of Representatives calling for them. In his accompanying message JA requested that they be kept confidential “until the members of Congress . . . shall have had the opportunity to deliberate on the consequences of their publication” ( Annals of Congress , 5th Cong., 2d sess., p. 535–536).

On 26 March William Branch Giles called for the House of Representatives to consider JA’s 19 March message to Congress, noting that “from the best judgment he could give it, it involved the question of peace or war to this country, and he thought gentlemen must be prepared to say which of the two States they wished.” The following day Richard Sprigg Jr. of Maryland proposed several resolutions, the first of which declared that “under existing circumstances, it is not expedient for the United States to resort to war against the French Republic.” Subsequent debate of this resolution was interrupted when Giles noted that JA had not disclosed the dispatches to Congress, and the House was therefore “obliged to take up the subject in the dark.” A resolution requesting JA to “communicate to this House, the instructions to, and despatches from, the Envoys Extraordinary of the United States to the French Republic, mentioned in the Message of the 19th instant” passed the House by a vote of 65 to 27 on 2 April. JA complied with the request the following day but asked that Congress keep the documents confidential until it had time to consider whether it was appropriate to publish them ( Annals of Congress , 5th Cong., 2d sess., p. 1313–1316, 1319–1367, 1370, 1371, 1374–1375).

483 5.

Burke, Letters on a Regicide Peace , p. 7.

Possibly a reference to WSS to AA, 21 March, above.

AA had also written a brief letter to JQA on [3] April commenting on the recent pamphlet by Joseph Hopkinson and reporting that the dispatches had been submitted to Congress. Enclosed with the letter was a copy of JA’s 23 March fast day proclamation (Adams Papers).