Christina Torie
Engl. 244
Prof. Lee
February 19, 2017
Along with a constant worry for the other, there is a struggle for John Adams to find time to write his letters and put in more effort to their long distance relationship. He realizes this in one of his letters: “I am often afraid you will think it hard that I dont write oftener to you” (Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 November 1775). Although this greatly upsets Abigail Adams, she is ever so understanding, “ 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” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 November 1775). Even though John Adams writing is little with his wife, it is worse with his other friends and family. “I long to write to your Excellent Father and sisters, but cannot get Time. You must have observed, and so must all my Friends that every Letter I write is scratched off in the utmost Haste” (Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 November 1775). In some cases, he can't get the time to even write at all, “The Dr. takes it a little hard that you have never wrote him a line, as he has wrote you several times” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1775). It's understandable that John Adams struggles to find time to catch up with his personal affairs while in the continental congress, but that doesn't mean he will be automatically forgiven by his loved ones for his absence in communication.
The couple also found themselves struggling to plan a time to finally see each other once again. John Adams and Abigail Adams eagerly waited for the green light and to have John Adams venture back home at last. As Abigail Adams expresses, “Winter makes [its] approaches fast. I hope I shall not be obliged to spend it without my dearest Friend, I know not how to think of it” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 November 1775). However strong their desire to see each other might have been, the possibility of it was unknown at the time. John Adams actually suggests that to stay or go was up to the people and their needs: “I should be glad to be informed, whether the Appointment of me, that you speak of, appears to be to the satisfaction of the People or not” (Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 November 1775). John Adams continually expresses a sort of responsibility to the people to be at work. Unfortunately this did not help to nurture his relationship and actually caused a sort of playful criticism from Abigail Adams’ uncle: “My unkle Quincy desires to be rememberd to you, inquired when you talked of comeing home. I told him you had not fixed any time. He says if you dont come soon he would advice me to procure an other husband” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1775). However unfortunate their situation might have been, John Adams always managed to spread a little romance from time to time by saying the sweetest words to his wife all while upholding his belief of the responsibilities he had with the people. “The most agreable Time that I spend here is in writing to you, and conversing with you when I am alone. But the Calls of Friendship and of private Affection must give Place to those of Duty and Honour, even private Friendship and Affections require it” (Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 December 1775). They faced many trials in their long distance relationship, but i feel that the physical distance and absence of touch was one of the hardest blows for the two lovers. Abigail Adams is so distraught from it that she expresses her sacrifices: “He Damp'd my Spirits greatly by telling me that the Court had prolonged your Stay an other month. I was pleasing myself with the thoughts that you would soon be upon your return. Tis in vain to repine. I hope the publick will reap what I sacrifice” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1775). Even though she was very unhappy with the decision for him to stay abroad, she still wanted what was best for the people and their future as a whole.
John Adams fought the battle between his personal and professional sides of life for a long time. With constant effort though, I believe that he did a fair job at juggling all of his responsibilities. Married couples will always worry about each other when they are separated, it's a fact of life. Making time isn't always easy but when you finally do, it's more than worth the trouble you had to go through to get it. Being away from the person you love most in the world just makes you appreciate the time you have together even more. John Adams was a lot of things to the American public but he was also a devoted husband and father who did all that he could to do right by the world.
Engl. 244
Prof. Lee
February 19, 2017
An Entire Relationship Through Letters
John and Abigail Adams exchanged more than 1,000 letters to each other throughout their relationship. You could even say that it seems as though the entirety of their relationship was played out through their letters. With intention for the letters to be viewed and studied by the histories of Americans, John Adams took great care in preserving each and every letter exchanged. I will be looking specifically at the letters from November 12th, 1775 to February 11th, 1776 to express a common theme seen among them. During the time of these letters, Abigail Adams was writing primarily in Braintree Massachusetts and John Adams was writing primarily in Philadelphia during his time in the continental congress. The most reoccurring theme that I've observed from these selected letters is a constant struggle to achieve a balance for John Adams in his personal and professional sides of life. With John Adam’s responsibilities in public employment and a need for relational reassurance for Abigail Adams, this was difficult. With both of them constantly worrying about the other, the lack of time John Adams has, and the desire to be reconnected in person once again all influence the conclusion of this theme.
In these nine letters that I've chosen to examine, there is always an underlying worry towards the other and their wellbeing. I feel that Abigail Adams expresses this worry for John Adams through her desire to know all of the information that she can about the ongoing decisions of the assembly. “I was dissapointed last week in receiving a packet by the post, and upon unsealing it found only four news papers. 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” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1775). She worries about the kinds of things that John Adams is dealing with at work and imagine that it’s extremely difficult for her because John Adams cannot disclose much information. Due to the position that John Adams is in, most of the information that she would want to know, is classified and kept secret until the right time. “As to News, you have every Thing in the public Papers, which I am not now under the strongest Ties of Honour, Virtue and Love of my Country to keep secret, and not to divulge directly or indirectly” (Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 November 1775). Though these papers are not always ideal to Abigail Adams, she happily accepts them. “I received your obliging favour by Mrs. Morgan, with the papers, and the other articles you sent which were very acceptable to me. As they are not to be purchased here, I shall be very choise of them” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1775). We can assume that John Adams is worrying about his wife while she has been consumed with sickness, “ I have been confined with the jaundice, Rhumatism and a most violent cold” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1775). During this season of sickness, John Adams awaits news to hear of Abigail Adams’ recovery and is frequently met with letters from her including little information. Abigail Adams accomplishes this as shown here, “I have nothing remarkable to write you” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 November 1775), and again here, “As to news we have not any at all” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1775).Along with a constant worry for the other, there is a struggle for John Adams to find time to write his letters and put in more effort to their long distance relationship. He realizes this in one of his letters: “I am often afraid you will think it hard that I dont write oftener to you” (Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 November 1775). Although this greatly upsets Abigail Adams, she is ever so understanding, “ 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” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 November 1775). Even though John Adams writing is little with his wife, it is worse with his other friends and family. “I long to write to your Excellent Father and sisters, but cannot get Time. You must have observed, and so must all my Friends that every Letter I write is scratched off in the utmost Haste” (Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 November 1775). In some cases, he can't get the time to even write at all, “The Dr. takes it a little hard that you have never wrote him a line, as he has wrote you several times” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1775). It's understandable that John Adams struggles to find time to catch up with his personal affairs while in the continental congress, but that doesn't mean he will be automatically forgiven by his loved ones for his absence in communication.
The couple also found themselves struggling to plan a time to finally see each other once again. John Adams and Abigail Adams eagerly waited for the green light and to have John Adams venture back home at last. As Abigail Adams expresses, “Winter makes [its] approaches fast. I hope I shall not be obliged to spend it without my dearest Friend, I know not how to think of it” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 November 1775). However strong their desire to see each other might have been, the possibility of it was unknown at the time. John Adams actually suggests that to stay or go was up to the people and their needs: “I should be glad to be informed, whether the Appointment of me, that you speak of, appears to be to the satisfaction of the People or not” (Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 November 1775). John Adams continually expresses a sort of responsibility to the people to be at work. Unfortunately this did not help to nurture his relationship and actually caused a sort of playful criticism from Abigail Adams’ uncle: “My unkle Quincy desires to be rememberd to you, inquired when you talked of comeing home. I told him you had not fixed any time. He says if you dont come soon he would advice me to procure an other husband” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1775). However unfortunate their situation might have been, John Adams always managed to spread a little romance from time to time by saying the sweetest words to his wife all while upholding his belief of the responsibilities he had with the people. “The most agreable Time that I spend here is in writing to you, and conversing with you when I am alone. But the Calls of Friendship and of private Affection must give Place to those of Duty and Honour, even private Friendship and Affections require it” (Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 December 1775). They faced many trials in their long distance relationship, but i feel that the physical distance and absence of touch was one of the hardest blows for the two lovers. Abigail Adams is so distraught from it that she expresses her sacrifices: “He Damp'd my Spirits greatly by telling me that the Court had prolonged your Stay an other month. I was pleasing myself with the thoughts that you would soon be upon your return. Tis in vain to repine. I hope the publick will reap what I sacrifice” (Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1775). Even though she was very unhappy with the decision for him to stay abroad, she still wanted what was best for the people and their future as a whole.
John Adams fought the battle between his personal and professional sides of life for a long time. With constant effort though, I believe that he did a fair job at juggling all of his responsibilities. Married couples will always worry about each other when they are separated, it's a fact of life. Making time isn't always easy but when you finally do, it's more than worth the trouble you had to go through to get it. Being away from the person you love most in the world just makes you appreciate the time you have together even more. John Adams was a lot of things to the American public but he was also a devoted husband and father who did all that he could to do right by the world.
Bibliography
Adams, Abigail. "Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 November 1775." Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 12 November 1775. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
Adams, John. "Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 November 1775." Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 12 November 1775. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
Adams, John. "Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 November 1775." Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 15 November 1775. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
Adams, John. "Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 November 1775." Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 18 November 1775. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
Adams, Abigail. "Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1775." Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 27 November 1775. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
Adams, John. "Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 December 1775." Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 December 1775. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
Adams, Abigail. "Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1775." Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 10 December 1775. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
Adams, John. "Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 January 1776." Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 24 January 1776. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
"The History Place - American Revolution: Conflict and Revolution 1775-1776." The History Place. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
"The Continental Line, Inc." The Continental Line, Inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2017.
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