Frederick Douglass Main Blog

Why Slavery is Dehumanizing

Frederick Douglass was born a slave in Tuckahoe Maryland in the year 1818. However, he didn’t know the exact date of his birthday. His mother was a slave and he never knew for sure who his father was, but rumors said it was his master. He grew up being cared for by his grandmother, and his mother passed away when he was very young. Throughout his life Douglass wrote multiple works of literature dealing with slavery, racism, and his life. His literary works were widely read and very popular with the abolitionist movement at the time. Many personal and political factors influenced his writings. In The Norton Anthology American Literature Volume B Nina Baym and Robert S. Levine describes that “he also had a clear-eyed understanding of the hurdles that slavery and racism placed in the way of African Americans. Regularly invoking the principles of the Declaration of Independence, Douglass throughout his life challenged the nation to live up to its founding ideals” (1170). He grew into a very intellectual, self sufficient and influential person. In The Norton Anthology American Literature Volume B Nina Baym and Robert S. Levine state “By the time of his death, Douglass was thought of, in the United States and abroad, as the most influential African American leader of the nineteenth century and as one of the greatest orators of the age” (1170).   

                

Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself, was written for the purpose of showing how dehumanizing slavery was and to persuade his audience to end slavery. Douglass shows how slave owners are hypocritical because they would go to church but still treat their slaves in un-Christian ways. Douglass writes an autobiography of how he was taken away from his mother as a baby and cared for by his grandmother, who was in charge of all the children of the younger women of the plantation. He only saw his mother at night, when she walked 12 miles to see him after working hard all day. Douglass stated “For what this separation is done, I do not know, unless it be to hinder the development of the child’s affection toward its mother, and to blunt and destroy the natural affection of the mother for the child” (1182). The slave system made it hard to keep in touch with family and build relationships. Many of the masters were also the fathers of slaves, and would have to sell their own children to pacify their wives. Also, the masters wouldn’t show favoritism to the slave to avoid repercussions. Douglass gives a nauseating description of witnessing a whipping that would stay with him for the rest of his life. The poor living conditions for slaves are detailed to show how horrific the treatment was for many of the slaves. Douglass explains “There were no beds given the slaves, unless one coarse blanket be considered such, and none but the men and women had these” (1186). To work at the Great House Farm was an aspiration for many of the slaves because of the many privileges that those slaves received such as getting a monthly allowance. Douglass explains “Few privileges were esteemed higher, by the slaves of the out-farms, than that of being selected to do errands at the Great House Farm. It was associated in their minds with greatness” (1187). Douglass claims that city slaves had better living condition than plantation slaves because owners in cities didn’t want others to look at them as the people who don’t take of and feed their slaves. Douglass explains how the slaves would often sing songs while going to the Great House Farm. Nevertheless, these songs were not of joy but instead demonstrated the true attributes of slavery. Douglass writes “I have often been utterly astonished, since I came to the north, to find persons to speak of the singing, among slaves, as evidence of their contentment and happiness. It is impossible to conceive of a greater mistake. Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy” (1188). Douglass illustrated how his master, Colonel Lloyd, owned so many slaves that he didn’t know them on sight and the slaves did not recognize him either. During an encounter with one of his slaves on a road, Colonel Lloyd questioned a slave and asked who he belonged to and how he was treated. The slave replied honestly that he was treated poorly by Colonel Lloyd. Two weeks later, the slave finds out that man he had talked to on the road was his master and that he was being sold and ripped away from his family for answering him with the truth “This is the penalty of telling the truth, of the telling the simple truth, in answer to a series of plain questions” (Douglass, 1190). Douglass went to live with a new mistress, Mrs. Auld, that had never owned slaves before. She was a tender hearted woman. Douglass claimed “the meanest slave was put fully at ease in her presence, and none left without feeling better for having seen her. Her face was made of heavenly smiles, and her voice of tranquil music” (1196). She taught him the alphabet and to spell short words until her husband forbade her from teaching him anymore because it was against the law. Mr. Auld explained, “If you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell. A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master….He would at once become unmanageable, and no value to his master” (Douglass, 1196). Slavery deprived slaves of learning things such as reading and writing on purpose. After being a slave owner, Mrs. Auld changed from sweet and caring to cruel and nasty, showing how slavery also dehumanizes slave owners as well. Douglass was not allowed to read but was determined and would be creative in finding ways to learn. He would make friends with poor street kids and exchange his bread for their knowledge. He learned how to write by copying shipyard carpenters and using old copy-books of his little Master that were left behind. With learning came anguish of knowing what was out there but not for him. Douglass states, “As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing. It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy. It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy. It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out” (1200). Douglass’ new knowledge exposed him to the outside world but because he was a slave he was trapped.

            Fredrick Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself, exhibits the dehumanizing effects of slavery, not only on slave themselves, but also on slave owners. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself, relates to From Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs. Throughout both of these literary works, they express the cruel and harsh realities of slavery. They each give detailed descriptions and examples of just how horrible the life of a slave can be. These texts show how manipulative people are to slaves. In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself, when Douglass was helping some Irishmen unload stone on the docks, they got into a discussion about Douglass being a slave for life:“They both advised me to run away to the north; that I should find friends there, and that I should be free. I pretended not to be interested in what they said, and treated them as if I did not understand them; for I feared they might be treacherous. White men have been known to encourage slaves to escape, and then, to get the reward, catch them and return them to their masters” (1200-1201). In From Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl it states “She had laid up three hundred dollars, which her mistress one day begged as a loan, promising to pay her soon. The reader probably know no promise or writing given to a slave is legally binding; for according to Southern laws, a slave, being property, can hold no property. When my grandmother lent her hard earnings to her mistress, she trusted solely to her honor”(923). She lent her money out of the goodness of her heart but her mistress did not keep her word and she never paid her back. Along with this, both Douglass and Jacobs write about the conditions of women slaves; how they are both physically and sexually abused by their slave owners. Douglass and Jacobs wrote their accounts as a slave and they tried to persuade their readers that slavery was negative and that it should end.

Works Cited

Baym, Nina, and Robert S. Levine. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. New York: W. W. Norton, 2012. Print.

Douglass, Frederick. “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Vol. B. New York: W. W. Norton, 2012. pp 1170-1239

Jacobs, Harriet. “From Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Vol. B. New York: W. W. Norton, 2012. pp 920-942

Picture Links:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/19/politics/Douglass-5-things/

http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1841228_1841749_1841739,00.html

Essay #1

Remember the Ladies: An Analysis of John and Abigail Adam’s Letters

            On October 25^th, 1764 John and Abigail Adams wed in Massachusetts. Throughout their marriage, distance became a common variable, although it must have made things more difficult; the separation seems to play a huge role in the success of their relationship. In 1774, John was elected to lead the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Abigail agreed he should go, which left her home alone to raise and educate their five children. In order to keep in touch, they exchanged over one thousand letters discussing everything from government and politics to home life and much more personal concepts. Abigail Adams never received formal schooling, probably due to the fact that females were stripped of education and rarely given this right, yet she was very intelligent. Her ideas about the government and politics contribute greatly to the founding of the United States, but her determination to grant women rights is what she is most known for. In her letters, she advocates for women’s rights to own property and also the opportunity for education (First Lady Biography: Abigail Adams). She believed women should also have a voice, for they are not simply a partner to their husband, but an individual who deserves equal rights. As well as women’s rights, Abigail also wrote about her views on slavery. She believed that no body had the right to deprive a human of freedom no matter the color of their skin. John Adams, our second president, and a Founding Father led Congress to their independence from Great Britain (First Lady Biography: Abigail Adams). John attended Harvard College in 1751 and decided to become a lawyer. Although his level of education extended that of Abigail’s, he still asked for and valued her advice. She was his closest friend and together they both formed the base of our country.

            A common theme represented throughout the letters of John and Abigail Adams is the lack of power and representation that women had. Abigail often argues how this new constitution should incorporate equal rights, not discriminated by gender, and provide protection from the unlawful amount of power men had over their wives. For example, on November 27^th, 1775 she writes that, “Man is a dangerous creature” referring to how the unlimited power that men have over women is unfair. A married couple were considered only one person, and all decisions were made by the man. A married woman could not sign legal papers, earn money to keep for herself, own property or even become educated if her husband did not approve.

In addition, in a letter she writes to John on March 31^st 1776, she says, “I long to hear that you have declared an independancy—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation” (Remember the Ladies). Abigail’s tone in this letter is backed with what one would call sass. She claims that all men would be cruel and abuse their power which comes off to me as if she is degrading men and sees no special qualities which would make a man a better ruler than a woman. Abigail also says, “That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender and endearing one of Friend. Why then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the Lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity. Men of Sense in all Ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your Sex. Regard us then as Beings placed by providence under your protection and in immitation of the Supreem Being make use of that power only for our happiness” (Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive). She describes men as “Naturally Tyrannical,” and goes on to tell how women are completely dependent on men to show that the unequal distribution of power leaves women beyond vulnerable and violates their very rights.

In addition, she also throws Johns own rhetoric at him with her statement about how women will rebel without representation. The slogan, “No taxation without representation” was widely used throughout the thirteen colonies to say that since they were not represented by the British, any law or act which directly affected the colonists, like the Stamp Act should be considered illegal due to the Bill of Rights. The Bill od Rights forbids taxation on goods without Parliament’s approval and since the colonist were provided with no representation in Parliament the Stamp Act and the Sugar act were in direct violation of the Englishmen’s rights. Isn’t denying a woman of her basic rights just because she is not a man also in violation of her certain unalienable rights? John replies to this her letter with, “As to your extraordinary Code of Laws, I cannot but laugh,” which only proves how little women were thought of (Remember the Ladies).

The letters between Abigail and John Adams are analyzed to this day because of their great in sight into the world during the Revolution. Their marriage would be referred to today as a “power couple.” I believe that their strong relationship was key in the founding of our country and without these letters we would be at a huge loss of information.

Works Cited:

"Adams Family Papers : An Electronic Archive." Adams Family Papers : An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.

"First Lady Biography: Abigail Adams." Abigail Adams Biography :: National First Ladies' Library. National First Lady's Library, n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.

"Remember the Ladies" (1776)." Adams, "Remember the Ladies" (1776). N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.

Essay #1

Natalie Lawrence

Lee

English 244

16 February 2017

Letters of the Journey of Political Development

             In a letter Philadelphia July 3.1776 John Adams wrote to Abigail Adams in The Norton Anthology American Literature “Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men” (633). The main theme running through these letters exchanged between John Adams and Abigail Adams is the political state of the country and how it developed. John Adams and Abigail Adams were married on October 25, 1764, they had four Children and eventually retired in Braintree, which is now Quincy Massachusetts. Abigail Adams was the daughter of a wealthy Congregational minister; she had no conventional schooling but she did use her resources to learn. John Adams was the son of a farmer. John Adams graduated from Harvard College in 1755 and he eventually studied law. John Adams was elected as the delegate from Massachusetts to the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. John and Abigail Adams exchanged letters with each other while they were apart for nine years. Their letters consisted of topics from their everyday lives, like educating their children, the running of the household, inquiring about each other’s health, and keeping abreast of family and friends, to topics about the smallpox epidemic, war time strategy and the political state developing in the country.

As the country was working towards its independence from Britain, the process of political change was slow and tedious with new roles and responsibilities emerging. In a letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, Plimouth June 17 a remarkable Day, Abigail Adams exclaimed ”I believe I did not understand you when in a former Letter you say, “I want to resign my office for a thousand reasons.” If you meant that of judge I know not what to say. I know it will be a difficult and arduous station but divesting my self of private intrest which would lead me to be against your holding that office, I know of no person who is so well calculated to discharge the Trust, or who I think would act a more consciencious part”(A.Adams). Abigail Adams was encouraging John Adams in an unbiased way saying that he was the right man for the job. She explained that it would be hard getting the new government established but the outcome would be worth all the effort. In a letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 June 1776, John Adams informs Abigail Adams that “The Congress have been pleased to give me more Business than I am qualified for, and more than I fear, I can go through, with safety to my Health. They have established a Board of War and Ordinance and made me President of it, an Honour to which I never aspired, a Trust to which I feel my self vastly unequal”(J.Adams) John Adams is given a bigger leadership role in the Continental Congress that is working to establish a Declaration of Independence for the country. He is willing to do the work to achieve the outcome of government that they are working on, even though he is not sure he is qualified to do the job.

As the country was trying to gain its independence from Britain and create their own government, wars were breaking out with both victories and losses. In a letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 June 1776, John Adams states “But these Reverses of Fortune dont discourage me. It was natural to expect them, and We ought to be prepared in our Minds for greater Changes, and more Melancholly Scenes still. It is an animating Cause, and brave Spirits are not subdued with Difficulties” ( J.Adams). John Adams knew that sometimes wars and political ambitions don’t go the way you want them to and the journey to independence and political change is a long road. However, all the difficulties would not keep America from achieving the goal of independence, as long as the Continental Congress kept working towards it.      

Finally, what the Continental Congress had been working on for so long had come together: the passing of the Declaration of Independence. In a letter Philadelphia July 3. 1776 John Adams wrote to Abigail Adams “A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony “that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States may rightfully do. You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the Causes, which have impell’d Us to this might Revolution, and the Reasons which justify it, in the Sight of God and Man. A Plan of Confederation will be taken up in a few days” (Baym and Levine 633). In an unanimous decision, the colonies all agreed to be free and independent of Britain’s control. John Adams explained the new opportunities to govern, all the rights that the Declaration provided and how they were moving forward with plans of confederation.

Now that the Declaration of Independence was approved, the political change was in full effect. New governments were being instituted and put into use with the knowledge that America would need to learn how to govern itself. In a letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, Philadelphia July7,1776 John Adams observes “Every Colony, upon the Continent will soon be in the same Situation. They are erecting Governments, as fast as children build Cobb Houses. But I conjecture they will hardly throw them down again, so soon” (J.Adams). In a letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, Philadelphia July 3.1776, John Adams wrote “Britain has been fill’d with Folly, and America with Wisdom, at least this is my judgement. - -Time must determine. It is the Will of Heaven, that the two Countries should be sundered forever. It may be the Will of Heaven that America shall suffer Calamities still more wasting and Distresses yet more dreadfull. If this is to be to Case, it will have this good Effect, at least: it will inspire us with many Virtues, which, we have not, and correct many Errors, Follies, and Vices, which threaten to disturb, dishonor, and destroy Us” (Baym and Levine 633). John Adams believed it was good that the two countries would be independent of each other. America could have complications emerge but these obstacles would bring the country the challenge of learning new techniques so that America could grow as a country and a separate government.

John and Abigail Adams’ letters show us that leading up to the creation of the Declaration of Independence, Abigail Adams encouraged John Adams that the political outcome he was working towards would be worth it for the nation. Once the Declaration of Independence was passed, the colonies implemented the new government. John Adams knew that the work was just beginning and that America would need to learn how to govern itself even though problems would arise. Solving these problems would bring America new ideas, integrity and growth. With the passing of the Declaration of Independence, the political state of the country was just getting started. Amongst wars, even being separated sometimes by a whole ocean, and working to bring political change and independence to a nation, John and Abigail Adams communicated with letters. The letters sent between them kept them informed about each other’s lives. Throughout the letters, the major theme they discussed was the development of political change in a new country that was trying to form its own independence. These letters give us an insight into everyday life and the sacrifices of those who were creating the country we live in today.

Works Cited

Baym, Nina, and Robert S. Levine. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. New York, NY: W.W. Norton, 2012. Print.

"Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 June 1776." Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 17 June 1776. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2017.

"Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 June 1776." Letter from John Adams to Abigail

            Adams, 16 June 1776. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2017.           

"Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 26 June 1776." Letter from John Adams to Abigail

            Adams, 26 June 1776. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2017.

"Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 7 July 1776." Letter from John Adams to Abigail

            Adams, 7 July 1776. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2017.

Essay #1

Unremarkable Beginnings with Concealed Secrets

In the eighteenth century, women were makers of the home, and they were not usually educated. And if they were educated, it was more of a rarity. Even though Abigail Adams never received any formal education, she was free to use her father’s library (Baym and Levine 625). She was also a very bright and honest woman, as well as an amazing leader. Abigail Adams was left at home to care for the family and farm while her husband went off to be in the Continental Congress. She was a good listener and was well versed in the way politics worked. Abigail Adams used her use of the English language and place as a woman in her letters to help her husband John Adams, during his time in the Continental Congress by deceiving any unwanted readers, helping each other to stay close as a couple, and concealing topics that needed to be kept secret.

To keep others from discovering the true intention of some letters, Abigail Adams uses her incorrect spelling and misuse of the English language to deceive any unwanted readers. In her letters to her husband, she frequently misspells words and uses somewhat awkward sentence structures in the beginnings and the ends of her letters. However, the middles of the letters were usually very structurally sound with fewer spelling errors along with important political information. For example, at the beginning of a letter to John Adams, dated November 27, 1775, she writes, “I yesterday took a puke which has releived me, and I feel much better to day.” As one can see, “relieved” and “today” are spelled incorrectly, and there should be a comma before the “which” in the sentence instead of after it. However, near the middle of this same letter, Abigail Adams writes “The Building up a Great Empire, which was only hinted at by my correspondent may now I suppose be realized even more by unbelievers” (Abigail Adams 631). This sentence is grammatically sound in all aspects; she even has a comma before the “which,” and “unbelievers” is spelled with the “i” before the “e,” where her previous use of a similar word was incorrect. In the first part of the letter, she stated her current predicament, and then went on to talk about how the weather ruined the crop of apples (631). These are ordinary topics. After this she continued to explain and discuss her fears and questions on how the independent American government should be and shows what she wanted from the new government when she wrote, “whatever occurs, may justice and righteousness be the Stability of our times, and order arise out of confusion” (632). This was the true intention of the letter, and it was hidden behind every day, mundane, issues. Though Abigail Adams never received any formal education, she had access to her father’s library, and read great authors’ works. When a person reads a lot, it can greatly improve his or her vocabulary and grammatical abilities. From the sentence structure in the middle parts of many of her letters, she illustrates an excellent understanding of the English language. This would explain the wonderful flow and eloquence that she produces in the middle parts of her writings while the beginnings were often so awkward and words were misspelled.

Even though Abigail Adams used information from the private sphere to decoy any unwanted readers, she also wrote about what was happening at home so that they could stay close to each other as a couple and a family. One example is when Abigail Adams writes, “Master John is very anxious to write, but has been confined for several days with a severe cold which has given him soar Eyes” (Abigail Adams 5 November 1775). This points out that Abigail Adams was keeping her husband informed about their son and his illness. It also shows that their son wanted to stay in contact with his father, even though he was not physically able to. Their marriage was kept strong through these letters too. An example of this is when John Adams writes to Abigail, “My Best Friend…Yours of Novr. is before me. I wish I could write you every day, more than once, for although I have a Number of Friends, and many Relations who are very dear to me, yet all the Friendship I have for others is far unequal to that which warms my Heart for you” (John Adams 3 December 1775). This endearing start to his letter told her that he loved her, which was very important because she was managing their home and family alone and was very lonely for him. But reading these lovely sentiments from her husband kept her close to him. She also returned these feelings to him; “I want to hear from you every day, and I always feel sorrow when I come to the close of a Letter. Your Time must be greatly engrosed, but little of it to spaire to the calls of Friendship, and I have reason to think I have the largest share of it” (Abigail Adams 12 November 1775). By exchanging these sentiments, it shows that Abigail and John Adams remained close even though they were miles apart and kept each other up-to-date with family matters.

Some people may argue that Abigail Adams’s writing was not sophisticated because of her spelling and grammatical errors and the fact that she was not formally educated. However, this did not affect her writing, for she was a very eloquent and illustrative writer. For example, she wrote in one letter, “Let revenge or ambition, pride, lust or profit tempt these Men to a base and vile action, you may as well hope to bind up a hungry tiger with a cobweb as to hold such debauched patriots in the visionary chains of Decency or to charm them with the intellectual Beauty of Truth and reason” (5 November 1775). Not only was she eloquent, it she was almost poetic. Another argument might be that she was not politically helpful to her husband. However, there were many instances when she aided him in those matters. For example, when describing a potential patriot, John Adams replied to her, “I have no Confidence in any Man who is not exact in his Morals. And you know that I look upon Religion as the most perfect System, and the most awfull Sanction of Morality. Your Goodness of Heart, as well as your sound judgment will applaud me for using the utmost Caution” (John Adams 18 November 1775). He respected her judgements on others and looked to her for advice on such people.

John and Abigail Adams frequently wrote to each other about sensitive subjects that could have been very dangerous for them because it was treasonous to be involved meetings like the Continental Congress. Abigail Adams was keeping her husband up-to-date of what was happening politically in the public sphere in Braintree so that he and the Congress could make more informed decisions. Both Abigail and John Adams often led into their sensitive communications by starting with mundane news, or lack thereof, or something in the private sphere to possibly cover up what was written next. If an unwanted reader was merely skimming the letters and only reading the first and last of paragraphs, they likely dismissed the middle as unimportant. For example, Abigail starts one of the letters by writing, “My conscience accuses me, but I have waited in hopes of having something worth saying to you, some event worth relating; but it has been a dead calm of dull repose. No event of any importance upon either side excepting the burning of some houses by the Enemy upon Dorchester Neck has taken place since you left us” (Abigail Adams 21 February 1775). She started with a very mundane topic of the woes of a lonely wife, yet she ends the paragraph with a piece of information about houses being burned by the British. One dangerous piece of correspondence between Abigail and John Adams was when Abigail states, “Nothing new has transpired since I wrote you last. I have not heard of one persons escaping out of Town, nor of any Manuover of any kind” (Abigail Adams 5 November 1775). In this passage, she is saying that nothing new has happened, yet it also says that she is watching for any people escaping or military maneuvers that would be advantageous for the Continental Congress to know about. If anyone knew Abigail Adams was sending this kind of sensitive information to her husband, she could have been in danger of being accused of treason, or being watched much more closely by the British.

Abigail Adams was a very clever and eloquent woman, who helped her husband through her letters and advice by making it look like she was just another uneducated woman of the time. She used the English language and place as a woman in the eighteenth century to aid her husband by misleading any unwanted readers, staying connected with her husband, and camouflaging secret information passed between them.

Works Cited

Adams, Abigail. “John and Abigail Adams Letters.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Vol. A. New York: W. W. Norton, 2012. pp 626-639.

---. “5 November 1775.” Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. Accessed 18 February 2017

---. “12 November 1775.” Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. Accessed 18 February 2017

---. “27 November 1775.” Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. Accessed 18 February 2017

---. “21 February 1775.” Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. Accessed 18 February 2017

Adams, John. “18 February 1776.” Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. Accessed 18 February 2017

Baym, Nina and Robert Levine. “John and Abigail Adams Letters.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Vol. A. New York: W. W. Norton, 2012. pp 625-626.

Determined for Independence

            More than 300 letters were sent between John and Abigail Adams between 1774 and 1783, each discussing political matters on America’s fight for independence from Britain, as well as family and household matters. Focusing on the letters exchanged from July 13^th to July 27^th, 1776, these took place shortly after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, and discussed John Adam’s role in America’s continued fight with Britain, and the Adams family struggle with the smallpox epidemic during the 18^th century. These particular letters show an overall theme of the ambitions and struggles the Adams family, as well as everyone in the thirteen colonies, went through during the revolutionary war.

            Because John Adams was a significant leader in the movement for independence from Britain, it is to be expected that there was talk of the movement throughout their letters, as John would inform Abigail of the current events happening; both for his and Abigail’s appeasement. This can be seen in Abigail’s response to John’s letters from July 3, in which after hearing the news about the Declaration of Independence, says “…and tho your letters never fail to give me pleasure, be the subject what it will, yet it was greatly heightned by the prospect of the future happiness and glory of our country; nor am I a little gratified when I reflect that a person so nearly connected with me has had the honour of being a principal actor, in laying a foundation for its future greatness” (A. Adams, 14 July 1776). The approval of the Declaration of Independence not only brought the spirits of Abigail up, but also throughout the thirteen colonies. Abigail writes to John about a sermon where she and a multitude of other citizens and troops went to see the proclamation for independence read and proclaimed. Once the reading was done, Abigail writes “…the cry from the belcona, was god save our American States and then 3 cheers which rended the air, the bells rang, the privateers fired, the forts and batteries, the cannon were discharged, the platoons followed and every face appeard joyfull” (A. Adams, 21 July 2016).  The Declaration continued to uplift many people when fighting against Lorde Howe, a British Naval officer, and his army. This can be seen in one of John’s writings to Abigail, in which he describes the high spirits of the colonies in the fight against Britain, saying “There is a most amiable, lawdable, and gallant spirit prevailing, in these middle colonies. The militia turn out in great numbers and in high spirits… so that we hope to resist Howe and his Mirimidons” (J. Adams, 15 July 1776).

            There were other issues effecting the colonies besides the Revolutionary War, though, and that was the smallpox epidemic of the 18^th century. Few diseases were as fatal or universal, and “reportedly disfigured, crippled, or killed every tenth person" during this time period (Pryor, “Smallpox in the 18th Century”). The Adams family, specifically Abigail and the kids, were especially susceptible to smallpox and added much stress to the situation. Luckily, a procedure called “inoculation” existed which came in around 1720, which was a popular and lifesaving early form of vaccination designed to prevent smallpox. Abigail had her and her children all inoculated in Boston on July 12, 1776 (A. Adams, July 14 1776), but because Inoculation causes a less severe infection then the original smallpox, the people who get inoculated still experience symptoms but overall induce an immunity to it. Abigail describes her and the children’s well-being regarding the smallpox throughout many of the letters, saying “I have really had so many cares upon my hands and mind, with bad inflammation in my eyes that I have not been able to write. [And] the little folks are very sick then and puke every morning but after that they are comfortable” (A. Adams, July 14 1776). Abigail and the children’s conditions were just one example of the effects the majority of the colonies were facing, as the fatal effects of the small pox had lead almost every person in town to consent to hospitals (A. Adams, July 14 1776).  

The distance between John and Abigail played a key part in showing the frustration of the revolutionary war along with the smallpox epidemic, and this especially shows in their letters. After being informed of Abigail and the children’s run with smallpox, John writes to Abigail “It is not possible for me to describe, nor for you to conceive my feelings upon this occasion. Nothing, but the critical state of our affairs should prevent me from flying to Boston, to your assistance… I shall feel like a savage to be here, while my whole family is sick at Boston” (J. Adams, 16 July 1776). Both John and Abigail make sacrifices during this time. John knew that he had to sacrifice coming to his families aid because of his duties in the continental congress, and Abigail makes a sacrifice by understand his absence is for the good of the country, writing to John: “The cruel separation to which I am necessitated cuts of half the enjoyments of life, the other half are comprised in the hope I have that what I do and what I suffer may be serviceable to you, to our little ones and our country” (A. Adams, 21 July 1776).

The sacrifice and ambition of John and Abigail Adams shown in these letters is representative of the rest of the thirteen colonies during the Revolutionary War. The burning desire for independence from Britain pushed the colonies through the struggles and sacrifices of war and sickness, ultimately leading to America’s separation from being under British rule.

           

Works Cited

Adams, Abigail. Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 13-14 July 1776 (Electronic  Edition). Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society.

Adams, Abigail. Letter from Abigail Adams to john Adams, 21-22 July 1776 (Electronic  Edition). Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society.

Adams, John. Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 July 1776 (Electronic Edition).        Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society.

Adams, John. Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 16 July 1776 (Electronic Edition).        Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society.

Pryor, Susan. “Smallpox in the 18^th Century.” Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. 1984.            http://research.history.org/DigitalLibrary/

Josh's Major Paper #1

The Adams were a very influential married couple in the early republic era.  John Adams was the first Vice-President, and the second President, of the United States.  Abigail Adams was the first Second-Lady, and the second First-Lady of the United States.  Both were also devoted spouses and parents.  But, because of John’s important job, he was often away from home.  This led to perhaps the most famous exchange of personal letters in history. These letters provide a very accurate record of many events that shaped American history, and have been invaluable to many historians wishing to gain an eyewitness account of the American path to independence.  While the Adams “exchanged over 1,100 letters, beginning during their courtship in 1762 and continuing throughout John's political career” we will be talking today about a mere nine of these letters (1).  While their letters contained thoughts on day-to-day struggles of a separated couple, family issues, and anecdotes, their main focus point was politics. 

            It is important to understand the Adams’s relationship before delving into the writings themselves.  John Adams was born in the Massachusetts Bay colony in a town called Braintree, just South of Boston, on October 30^th 1735.  He had an average childhood and went on to earn a master’s degree from Harvard, as well as become an experienced lawyer. Abigail Smith was born in Weymouth Massachusetts, the neighboring town of Braintree, on November 11^th 1744.  She did not receive any formal schooling, but being a minister’s daughter, she learned to love reading.  She quickly gained an understanding of the world through literature.  They were married on October 25^th 1764.  They were a textbook example of a happy, devoted, and mutually supportive couple.  Their mutual love for politics and philosophy strengthened their bond tenfold.  However, while they were loyal to one another, both seemed to be equally, if not more loyal to their country.  (2)

            It is equally important to understand what the Adams wrote about, in order to understand the underlying theme of the letters.  John and Abigail wrote often to discuss their respective situations, but their personal problems seemed to come second to their concern for their country.  This is shown in a letter sent to John from Abigail on August 19 1774.  Abigail starts the letter with salutations and then immediately continues to tell of her worries.  These consisted of, “The great anxiety I feel for my Country, for you and for our family renders the day tedious, and the night unpleasent.”(1)   Abigail’s placement of the worries suggests a hierarchical list of importance, in which the anxiety for the country precedes that of her husband and family.  This rank of importance is shared by John Adams as well. The stress placed upon the issues of state, is evident in almost all of the letters. 

            The tone the Adams used when writing about their daily lives and the circumstances of their country, further proves that the major theme of the selected letters was that of the Adams’s concern for their country.  In a letter from John Adams to Abigail, after lengthy descriptions of his involvement in various affairs of state, he has to remind himself not to become preoccupied with the government and to talk about his family.  This is shown when he says, “I believe it is Time to think a little about my Family…” another example of the hierarchical list of importance. (1)  He seems to ask halfhearted questions and writes the bare minimum to satisfy curiosity.  Likewise, Abigail frequently inquires about John’s involvement in actions of the government, seeming to barely contain her anxiousness to hear a response.  Her day-to-day duties of watching, teaching, and feeding the children seem to bog her down when conversing.  However, she always perks up at the mention of any political business. 

            The government was the main source of conversation for the Adams merely because of the tumultuous political situation the United States found itself in at the time of the Adams’s correspondences.   John Adams was held on high regard in the field of politics.  He was a revolutionary thinker and was responsible for helping the declaration of independence be put into action.  His opinions were weighty, and were widely considered in any political debate.  Adams wits were sharpened with the lengthy debates with his wife.  Both Abigail and John were very concerned with each others’ well-being, but they wrote mainly to keep up the political banter that must have abounded freely in the Adams’s home.

            All in all, the Adams’s relationship was held together by their mutual love of political debate.  They wrote mainly about politics in their letters.  They used a candid, curt tone when writing.  Their environment pushed them toward political banter and quick debate.  They loved each other, but they loved politics more.

1.     "About the Correspondence between John and Abigail Adams." Adams Electronic Archive : Correspondence between John and Abigail Adams. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2017.

2.     McCullough, David. "John Adams". N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.