Abigail Adams to Mary Smith Cranch, April 9, 1798

Philadelphia April 9 th 1798

My Dear sister

I wrote you on saturday that I would forward to you the
Dispatches as soon as they were out. I accordingly inclose them. 1 they exhibit a picture of National Degradation
and unparalled corruption, which presents Burks picture of the French Nation, not as
the product of a heated imagination, but as real Life. “out of the Tomb of the
Murdered Monarchy in France, has arrisen a vast, tremendous, unformed spectre, in a
far more terrific Guise than any which ever yet overpowerd the imagination, and
subdued the fortitude of Man, Going strait forward to its End, unappalled by Peril,
unchecked by remorse, despising all common maxims, and all common means. The poison of
other states is the food of this Regiside Republic.[ ” ] 2 it would be happy for
America to cut off all further connection with
her, and to repel her Arts her Arms and her wiles, by that fire and Brimstone to which
her crimes destine her. They have repeld our advances for acommodation with scorn they
are an Enemy to whose Virtues we can owe nothing. if we possess virtue, if we possess
Union of sentiment, and Independance of spirit we Shall have little reason to dread
the force of their Arms at the distance we are removed from them, and their resources
are pretty well drained by their eagerness for Plunder, and their avowal to sacrifice
all for money. even the Presidents speech at which they have the insolence to pretend
they are offended, may be expiated by money!

In the records of Pride there does not exist so insulting a
declaration. It is insolent in words, in manner but in substance, it is not only
insulting but alarming. it is a specimen of what may be expected from the Masters.
Some are disposed to give to our Humbled Country.

The senate have directed the instruction to our Envoys to be
publishd. the World will then see that our advances were honorable candid and
generous, and that nothing further can be done consistant with our National
Independance, untill France changes her Rulers and her measures— 3

We must prepare to defend ourselves.

My dear sister I turn from the painfull subject to the Rural
delights which are just opening upon us here. the willow assumes its lost verdure and
is cheering the prospect by its coulour so gratefull to the Eye. the peach blosom
opens and the daisy and daffy adorn my Room. the brown hue of the Feild is changed to
a bright Green, and the spring songsters assume a cheering note. my spirits are
exhilirated by the Scene, and for a moment I forget the disturbers of our Peace, and
the destroyers of our pleasures. I can ride out daily and enjoy the air of the
Country, but my own state & cottage are the objects which I most wish to see.
there are my Relatives & my Friends whom I can enjoy with out that ceremony
attendant upon my Present station.

The Death of my Friends and acquaintance affcets me very
sensibly. three succeeding weeks have each been the melancholy harbinger of some new
breach. mrs Gill mrs Quincy and the Sudden stroke which has deprived the people of his
Charge of the most valuable Life of Dr Clark, is amongst the unsearchable Ways of
Providence. in the midst of his days, in the vigor of his usefullness, he is suddenly
calld to a higher & superiour station, as the reward we rationally hope of having been a good and
Faithfull servant in the vineyard of his master.

The loss is to the survivors. that indeed is great. at such a
period as the present, when the Ministers of Religion are amongst the firmmest
supporters of our Government, We may justly adopt the words of Scripture and say

[ “ ]Help Lord, for the Godly Man ceaseth, and the

faithfull fail from among the Children of Men” 4

I intended to have written to cousin Betsy to day, but must omit
it untill the next Post. I inclose a Receit for a small Box sent to Boston to mr
smiths care. it is for cousin Betsy. be so good as to send to him the Receit. I forgot
to inclose it to him yesterday. 5 I have
subscribed or rather mr Brisler has for Porcupines paper which will be sent by the
next Post as directed, three Papers a week. I hope to get a Letter from you to day. I
had the baby with me on sunday it is very well. it had a hundred Pock & for three
days & nights was very sick, but is happily through. it is a quiet Little
Creature. nothing would give me greater pleasure than myself to present it to the Arms
of mrs Black. I feel what a Gaurdian and Parent the little orphan will find, and hope
they will both live to be mutual blessings to each other.

with my kindest wishes for the Health happiness & Prosperity
of all my Dear Friends / I am most affectionatly / your sister

Adams—

pray my dear sister dispose of the inclosed for the use of miss
Paine.