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27 to john adams [In early 1776, with the crisis of independence looming, mow engaged in a compelling exchange over the nature of a future American government and society with ja, by now her most trusted male friend outside her family and a major player in the coming Revolution. She responds to his letter of January 8, 1776, which can be found in pja3, 397–99. For a slightly different version of mow’s letter (the rc), see pja4, 49–52.] Plymouth March [10] 1776 Dear Sir, As your time is so much devoted to the service of the republic, you can have little leisure for letters of mere friendship, or amusement. I have therefore been sometime balancing in my own mind, whether I should again interrupt your important moments:—but on reperusing yours of the eighth of January, I find a query unanswered. Your asking my opinion on so momentous a point as the form of government which ought to be preferred by a people, about to shake off the fetters of monarchic and aristocratic tyranny may be designed to ridicule the sex for paying any attention to political matters. Yet I shall venture to give you a serious reply. Notwithstanding the love of dress, dancing, and equipage—notwithstanding the fondness for finery, folly, and fashion, is so strongly predominant in the female mind, I hope never to see a Monarchy established in America, however fashionable in Europe. Nor however it might coincide with the taste for elegance and pleasure in the one sex or cooperate with the passions, the interest, or ambition of the other, shall I ever be an advocate for such a form,—not even “to make you rich.”1 I have long been an admirer of a republican goverment, and was convinced , even before I saw the advantages delineated in so clear and concise a manner by your pen;—that if established in the genuine principles of equal liberty,—it was a form productive of many excellent qualities, and heroic virtues in human nature—which often lie dormant for want of opportunities for exertion. The heavenly spark is smothered in the corruption of Courts, or its lustre obscured in the pompous glares of royal pageantry. It is the opinion of the celebrated Burgh—that “almost all political establishments are the creatures of chance rather than of wisdom:—and to john adams, march 1776  69 that there are few instances of a people forming for themselves a constitution from the foundation—therefore there is scarcely an example of such a phenomenon as a perfect Commonwealth.”2 But we will yet hope the present generation will leave one to posterity ,—and that the American republic will come as near the point of perfection , as the condition of humanity will admit. That listning to the dictates of common sense, the Amphyctionic3 body will not be obliged to yield to the violence of party—or the blindness of private or provincial prejudices, and leave the work half finished. Shall the incompleat fabric hang tottering under its own weight, to be shoared up and cemented with the blood of succeeding generations? However, we may indulge the pleasing review[?] and look forward with delight, on the well compacted government and happy establishments of the civil police of the United Colonies. Yet, with you Sir, I have my fears, that American virtue has not yet reached that sublime pitch which is necessary to baffle the designs of the artful,—to counteract the weakness of the timid, or to resist the pecuniary temptations and ambitious wishes that will arise in the breast of many. We shall soon have a test and if the union of the Colonies, and a steady opposition to the disgraceful idea of foreign shackles still subsist, after negotiating with a set of men, picked for the purpose of flattering, terrifying , and cajoling, the Colonists, into compliances, which their principles, their interests, their honour, and even their strength forbids,—I shall have hopes that America has more than one politician, who has abilities to make the character of the people, to extinguish vices, and follies he finds—and to create the virtues he sees wanting. Many among us are ready to flatter themselves that an accommodation with Britain is yet easy, and that we shall soon see the return of halcyon days. Others think that we have little to expect from Commissioners, sent from a haughty, venal, luxurious Court, acting in the name of a despotic Prince:—they will...

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