Abigail (daughter of JA and AA) Adams to Elizabeth Cranch Norton, May 1, 1800

New jerseys May 1800

My Dear Cousin

I this day received a letter from my Mother enclosing one
from you to her dated in April in which you express so much interest in my
situation, that I am induced to endeavour if possible to eface from your
mind some of the disagreeable impressions which may be made upon it, by your
ideas of a Camp Life— 1 Coll n Smith has ever been attached to a
Military Life and whenever his Country has occasion for the services of a
Soldier will be ready to serve it. he has made the Profession more of a
Study than most others and has had opportunities to observe more of foreign
service than any Officer in america who has not been actually engaged in it.
the Field Officers of this Brigade are gentlemen of respectable characters
in private Life, and most of them have families. the younger are generally
gentlemen of Education, and have in general conducted themselvs with great
propriety. it cannot be expected that in a society so numerous that every
individual should be regular, and virtuous. but it has been observed that
there has in this encampment been a greater degree of good order and
regularity observed than was ever known in this Country before in the same
situation. their stations are so divided and sub divided and each having his
particular Duty to perform that a proper order and regularity is observed
through the whole, and I assure you that from the observations I have made,
I can easily suppose that a Number of Persons engaged in the same pursuit
and amongst whom a good Harmony prevails—that they may soon become attached
to this Kind of Life

the Common idea of a Camp—is that it is a continual scene
of riot and dissorder—and that every vice and irregularity is practiced in
it— but I assure you it is far otherwise no Officer or Soldier can commit
any crime or be guilty of dissorderly Conduct with impunity—and I do not
beleive there can be a more regular society found, of this kind than here,
at least I can answer for such parts of it as have come within my own
observation—

but in this Country whare I hope we shall never have
occasion for a standing army—it is not a very advantageous profession, and
there appears so great a prejudice against the Military Profession that it
is not probable it will ever become a permanent establishment—and if […] can be supported without its aid we
shall exhibit a happy example to the World

I hope my dear Cousin that I shall not suffer in your
good oppinion—by endeavouring to exculpate the Military Profession from some
of the prejudices excited against it

I am Sorry to hear that you have been indisposed I hope
ere this your health is perfectly established— that you and yours may enjoy
every blessing is the sincere wish / of yours Cousin

A Smith