Letter from Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were present at the creation, both serving on the committee that developed the Declaration of Independence.  It was at Adams’ insistence that Jefferson was given  the task of drafting the document, since, as Adams said to Jefferson, “You are the better writer.”

Their friendship endured through difficult times, both at home and in Europe, but it was not until the new government under the Constitution was underway that party differences drove a wedge between them.  Adams was a Federalist, Jefferson a Democratic Republican, and the animosity between the two parties during the 1790s and early 1800s was probably as ugly as at any other period in American history.  Jefferson, who tried to remain above party squabbles, often came across as haughty and indifferent.  Adams, stubborn and feisty, was quick to take offense, even where none was intended.

During Adams presidency, when  Jefferson was vice president and a member of the opposite party, things came to a head, largely over the Sedition Act signed by Adams, and the outgoing president  departed Washington at 4 a.m. on the morning of Jefferson’s inauguration without remaining for the formalities. They remained estranged for more than a decade.

During their friendlier times, Jefferson’s daughter Polly spent some time with the Adams family in London while she was on her way to join her father in Paris. She and Abigail Adams quickly grew very fond of each other, and Polly, whose mother had died not long before, clung to Abigail as if she were the lost parent.  When Abigail learned of Polly’s death in 1804, she wrote a very moving letter to Jefferson recalling their friendship and her deep affection for Jefferson’s daughter.

Jefferson returned her letter, thanking her for her kindness, but then made reference to the issues which had separated him and John Adams politically.  Having thrown down the gauntlet, Jefferson aroused Abigail’s political instincts, and soon a vigorous and heated correspondence ensued between the wife of the former president and the current incumbent of the White House.  Although they repeatedly referred to their longtime friendship and affection for each other, the exchange was quite sharp.  After both of them had had a chance to explain their differences to the other’s satisfaction,  the matter was healed for the time being.  Only at the end of the correspondence did John Adams become aware of the exchange, and he appended a terse note to Abigail’s last letter to Jefferson saying he had no comment to make.

The following is one of Abigail’s letters, which demonstrates her political acuity as well as reflecting the pain which she herself felt at the animosity that existed between two former friends.  She was a brilliant, kind, thoughtful, and, when necessary, forgiving woman who held her own with the greatest minds of the Revolutionary era.

[The Callender referred to was a political propagandist who at various times attacked both Adams and Jefferson with what can only be called “over-the-top” rhetoric. He was jailed during the Adams administration under the Sedition Act.]

Quincy August 18th 1804

SIR

Your Letter of July 2d was by some mistake in the post office at Boston sent back as far as New York, so that it did not reach me until the eleventh of this Month. Candour requires of me a reply. Your statement respecting Callender, (who was the wretch referred to) and your motives for liberating him, wear a different aspect as explained by you, from the impression which they had made, not only upon my mind, but upon the minds of all those, whom I ever heard speak upon the subject. With regard to the act under which he was punished, different persons entertain different opinions respecting it. It lies not with me to decide upon its validity. That I presume devolved upon the supreme Judges of the Nation: but I have understood that the power which makes a Law, is alone competent to the repeal. If a Chief Magistrate can by his will annul a Law, where is the difference between a republican, and a despotic Government? That some restraint should be laid upon the assassin, who stabs reputation, all civilized Nations have assented to. In no Country has calumny falsehood, and reviling stalked abroad more licentiously, than in this. No political Character has been secure from its attacks, no reputation so fair, as not to be wounded by it, until truth and falsehood live in one undistinguished heap.

If there are no checks to be resorted to in the Laws of the Land, and reparation to be made to the injured, will not Man become the judge avenger of his own wrongs, and as in a late instance, the sword and pistol decide the contest? All the Christian and social virtues will be banished the Land. All that makes Life desirable, and softens the ferocious opinions of Man will assume a savage deportment, and like Cain of old, every Mans hand will be against his Neighbour. Party spirit is blind, malevolent, uncandid, ungenerous, unjust and unforgiving. It is equally so under federal as under democratic Banners, yet upon both sides are Characters, who possess honest views, and act from honorable motives, who disdain to be led blindfold, and who tho’ entertaining different opinions, have for their object the public welfare and happiness. These are the Characters, who abhor calumny and evil speaking, and who will never descend to News paper reviling. And you have done Mr. Adams justice in believing him, incapable of such conduct. He has never written a line in any News paper to which his Name has not been affixed, since he was first elected president of the united States. The writers in the public papers, and their employers are altogether unknown to him.

I have seen and known that much of the conduct of a public ruler, is liable to be misunderstood, and misrepresented. Party hatred by its deadly Poison blinds the Eyes and envenoms the heart. It is fatal to the integrity of the moral Character. It sees not that wisdom dwells with moderation, and that firmness of conduct is seldom united with outrageous violence of sentiment. Thus blame is too often liberally bestowed upon actions, which if fully understood, and candidly judged would merit praise instead of censure. It is only by the general issue of measures producing baneful or beneficial effects that they ought to be tested.

You exculpate yourself from any intentional act of unkindness towards any one. I will freely state that which I referred to in my former Letter, and which I could not avoid considering as personal resentment. Soon after my eldest son's return from Europe, he was appointed by the district Judge to an office into which no political concerns entered, personally known to you, and possessing all the qualifications, you yourself being Judge, which you had designated for office. As soon as congress gave the appointments to the president you removed him. This looked so particularly pointed, that some of your best Friends in Boston, at that time expressed their regret that you had done so. I must do him the Justice to say, that I never heard an expression from him of censure or disrespect towards you in consequence of it. With pleasure I say that he is not a blind follower of any party.

I have written to you with the freedom and unreserve of former Friendship to which I would gladly return could all causes but mere difference of opinion be removed. I wish to lead a tranquil and retired Life under the administration of the Government, disposed to heal the wounds of contention, to cool the raging fury of party animosity: to soften the Rugged Spirit of resentment, and desirous of seeing my Children and Grand Children, Heirs to that freedom and independence which you and your predecessor, united your efforts to obtain. With these sentiments I reciprocate my sincere wishes for your Health and happiness.

ABIGAIL ADAMS

Abigail Adams Home | History 121 | Updated August 28, 2008