Abigail Adams to Elbridge Gerry, July 20, 1781

Braintree july 20. 1781 1

Sir

When I looked for your Name among those who form the Representative Body of the people this
year I could not find it. I sought for it with the Senate, but was still more dissapointed. I
however had the pleasure of finding it amongst the delegates of this Commonwealth to Congress,
where I flatter myself you will still do us Honour which posterity will gratefully
acknowledge; and the virtuous few now confess. But as you are no worshiper of the rising Sun,
or Adulator at the shrine of power, you must expect with others, who possess an Independant
Spirit, to be viewed in the shade, to be eyed askance, to be malign’ed and to have your Good
evil spoken of. But let not this Sir discourage you in the arduous Buisness. I hope America
has not yet arrived at so great a pitch of degeneracy as to be given up by those alone who can
save her; I mean the disinterested patriot—who possessing an unconfined Benevolence will
persevere in the path of his duty. Tho the Ingratitude of his constituents and the Malevolence
of his Enemies should conspire against him, he will feel within himself the best Intimations
of his duty, and he will look for no external Motive.

History informs us that the single virtue of Cato, upheld the Roman Empire for a time, and a
Righteous few might have saved from the impending Wrath of an offended deity the Ancient
cities of Sodom and Gomorah. Why then my dear Sir, may I ask you, do you wish to withdraw
yourself from publick Life?

You have supported the cause of America with zeal with ardour and fidelity, but you have not
met even with the gratitude of your fellow citizens—in that you do not stand alone.

You have a mind too Liberal to consider yourself only as an Individual, and not to regard
both your Country and posterity—and in that view I know you must be anxiously concerned when
you consider the undue Influence excercised in her Supreme Counsels. You can be no stranger I
dare say Sir, to matters of the Highest importance to the future
welfare of America as a Nation; being now before her Representitives—and that she stands in
need of the collected wisdom of the United States, and the Integrity of her most virtuous
members.

I will not deny Sir, that personally I feel myself much Interested in your attendance there.
I fear there is a spirit prevailing, too powerfull for those who wish our prosperity; and
would seek our best Interests. Mr. L< , Start deletion, ove , End, >ll and Mr. A< , Start deletion, dam , End, >s have informed
you I suppose of the Intrigues and malicious aspersions of my absent Friends character, if
they have not, I will forward to you a coppy of a Letter which will not want any comment of
mine. 2

The plan which appears to be adopted both at Home and abroad, is a servile adulation and
complasance to the Court of our Allies, even to the giving up some of our most valuable
privileges. The Independant Spirit of your Friend, abroad, does not coinside with the selfish
views and inordinate ambition of your Minister, who in consequence of it, is determined upon
his distruction. Stung with envy at a merit he cannot emulate, he is allarmed with the
apprehension of losing the Honour of some Brilliant action; and is useing his endeavours that
every enterprize shall miscarry, in which he has not the command. To Effect this purpose he
has insinuated into the minds of those in power the falsest prejudices against your Friend,
and they have so far influenced the united Counsels of these States, as to induce them to join
this unprincipled Man, in Commission with him for future Negotiations. If Congress had thought
proper to have joined any Gentleman of real abilities and integrity with our Friend, who could
have acted in concert with him; he would have gratefully received his assistance—but to clog
him with a Man, who has shewn himself so Enimical to him, who has discovered the marks of a
little and narrow Spirit by his malicious aspersions, and ungenerous insinuations, and whose
measures for a long time they have had no reason to be gratified with, is such a proof to me
of what my absent Friend has reason to expect, and what you know Sir, I very early feared;
that I can see nothing but dishonour, and disgrace attending his most faithfull, and zealous
exertions for the welfare of his Country.

These Ideas fill me with the deepest concern. Will you suffer Female influence so far to
operate upon you; as to step forth and lend your aid to rescue your Country and your Friend,
without inquiring

“What can Cato do

Against a World, a base degenerate World

which courts a yoke and bows its Neck to Bondage.”

There is a very serious Light in which this matter is to be viewed; the serious light in
which a late distinguished Modern writer expresses it—“that we are all embarked on the same
Bottom, and if our Country sinks, we must Sink with it.”

Your acknowledged Friendship and former politeness has led me to the freedom of this
address, and prevents my asking an excuse which I should otherways think necessary for her who
has the Honour to subscribe herself your Friend and Humble Servant,

Portia

PS The communication of the minister at Versails being joined with my Friend was made in
confidence—I wish it may not be mentiond at present.