On this day 250 years ago, there must have been joy in the household of John and Abigail Adams of Quincy, Massachusetts. Abigail would have been tending to the farm, located near Boston, and raising their four surviving children (which would include future President John Quincy Adams), while Poppa John was stirring up a revolution down the road in Philadelphia, 308 miles away.
Because of John’s political activism, the couple were frequently apart, at least physically, but certainly united spiritually. Thankfully, for the sake of future historic research, they were vociferous letter writers having exchanged a reported 1160 mailings. For four years, from 1797 to 1801 they would be able to spend more time together living in a new city designed to be the national capital, called Washington, and eventually in a mansion that would be better known as The White House, but for the moment the future President and his wife lived the bumpy life of revolution from which history’s verdict might remember him either for patriotism or treason.
On this day, the glory of patriotism was prevailing. During the previous days the Continental Congress, where John was one of the most outspoken members, had approved a statement declaring a new country and its independence from England. Copies of the declaration were being printed and distributed throughout the 13 colonies, and the news was being spread throughout the globe, with special interest in places such as France, where there would be thoughts of revolution too.
In a letter dated July 3, John was as visionary as he was enthusiastic. With the initial vote having been taken July 2 before being made official two days later, John wrote perhaps the most prophetic sentence in American history.
“(This day) will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America,
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
Ahead would be a bloody revolutionary war, and then beginning in 1812, a second war in which the last battle, in 1815, was fought in New Orleans.
In the next century, the nation would be torn by a fratricidal civil war, and then in the 20th century, the once fledgling country, now a global power, was twice called to defend Europe,
“You may think me fanatical” John continued in his letter to Abigail. “I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these states. — Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means.”
A few days later Abigail responded to John saying, “your letters never fail to give me pleasure…. I was greatly heightened by the prospect of the future happiness and glory of our Country.”
Then she added a really touching comment to her husband, “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. May the foundation of our new constitution be justice, truth and righteousness.”
Abigail Smith and John Adams’ correspondence lasted from 1762, when their courtship began, into 1801 when his political career ended after being defeated for a second term as President by Thomas Jefferson. In 1800 he became the first President to work in the newly completed White house.
After visiting the building he wrote to Abigail, “May none but honest and wise men rule under this roof.”
-30-
To contact Errol, email elabordenola@gmail.com!
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENTS: Errol’s Laborde’s new book, “When Rex Met Zulu: And Other Chronicles of the New Orleans Experience,” (Pelican Publishing Company, 2024) is now available at local bookstores and websites.
Laborde’s other recent publications: “New Orleans: The First 300 Years” and “Mardi Gras: Chronicles of the New Orleans Carnival” (Pelican Publishing Company, 2017 and 2013), are available at the same locations.
