Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, April 9, 1798

Plimouth April 9 th 1798

Have I my dear madam appeared negligent in not answering your
last friendly letter jest before you left this state.— low health through the winter
may be an apology— 1 I could make
several others if necessary. but it can be of no importance for you to hear often from
a retired individual whose Greatest pleasure is the retrospect of past life—of
departed enjoyments—of future hope from a wish to discharge the domestic and social
duties within her own sphere—these have been intermixed with so much Grief and
bitterness of soul; that often when I take up my pen, I am affraid of diverging to
private affliction that may call up feelings that for a moment might interrupt the
felicity of others—

we may melt inwardly at a succession of painful events, but we
have no right to bring forward the obtrusive scenes and call out the involentary
simpathy of the happy.—

Public subjects farther than for the amusement of the moment, I
have done with.—

you and myself have long trodden over the wide feild of
politics—we have walked hand in hand—have observed the flowers that adorn it: and the
thorn that peirces the heel of him who explores the eminencies: as well as those that
wound the breast of him who treads over the plain, or roams in the lonely Vally.— This
in our day has not been the path of peace— And I fear we have yet to weep the miseries
of our Country. a Country that has struggled with adversity—Gloryed in her
successes—now weakened by the bitterness of party. and spreading regret over every
mind for the stigma brought on the Great Council of America: by the disgraceful
conduct of some of its members.— what a prostration of character within the Dome that
once echoed the voice of fredom through the land. when the Amphitions of the western
world were every where revereed for their cool dispassionate reasonings: and dignified
by the Wisdom and equability of their measures—

I have frequently heard with pleasure in answer to my inquiries
relative to your health that you enjoy a Great share in a clime different from your
native air.— Notwithstanding the Ettiquete of station that calls for a part of your
time: I have no doubt madam that you find leasure for the exercise of your pen—and
though your correspondents may be numerous—I dare say before you leave the capital of American politics—splendor information
and pleasure, you will take it up for the amusement and Gratification of one: who
wishes no distance of time, place, or opinion,—may ever allienate the affections of
those annimated by principles that look beyond the present confused state of human
affairs.—

M r Warren is not now at home. when he
is we read the news papers on all sides—and everything else we can come at. We read
s t Pierre— 2 We have studied nature before—human nature—and have seen it in all its varieties.—
we in General enjoy a healthful old age— a Competence—Contentment: and peace of
Conscience— M r Adams in a letter to me once quoted a
beautiful Couplet which I now repeat,—and apply.

Here Contemplation, prunes her ruffled wings.

And the free soul looks down and pitys Kings.— 3

My respects ever await the president of the united states. you may
tell him if you please that if we should ever happen to meet another personal
interview, his presence might awaken some Ideas of the Divine
science of politics , which he used zealously to exhort us to Cultivate.— 4 this might also annimate to that loquacity , and undisguised Chit-Chat, that he formerly
admired in your uniform friend, / and Humble servant

Mercy Warren

the Death of the Good and amiable D r. Clark I know you mourn with us.—