Adams, John (1735-1826) to Benjamin Rush re: re: "Has America no soul?" and America's future
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01965 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Quincy Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1810/06/28 Pagination: 2 p. 25 x 21 cm Order a Copy
Written from retirement at Quincy, bemoaning the state of America, its manipulation by European politicians and its potentially great future. Adams asks whether "America has no soul" since no one jumps to its defense. He also foresees, like many contemporaries, the westward course of empire.
Quincy June 28 1810
Friend
I acknowledge my fault in neglecting to answer two or three of your last favours [sic]. I now thank you for the letters and the "Light and Truth" as I used to call the Aurora.
What are we to think of all these adventurers? Tom Paine, Cobbet, Duane, Carpenter, Walsh, Bristed? With twenty &c. Are they all sent out here by administration or opposition, French or English, Scotch or Irish?
Our country, My dear Friend, is an object of Speculation in Europe among Politicians as much as the poor soldiers certificates were, once, among Hamiltons Patriots in America.
Duane and Cobbet are in a fair way I think to cooperate in the same great Cause of Sir Francis Burdett, Col. Wardle, Democracy, and Revolution. They seem to be greeting each other, as Callender and Colman did, after the former had declared war against Jefferson.
In our Country, my Friend, to be the Puppet, danced on the wires of such Men?! Has America no soul? Is there No genius in it? Is there no Feeling? Is there none to mount the Breach?
All that you and I could do would be to fall upon our Swords like Cato: but that would do no good.
Time was, when Men were not wanting to expose themselves to danger. Young Men, who had Forces of Mind and Body.
In your last Letter, June 20, you do not say whether Napoleon or, Nerone Neronior, as we sometimes called our Great Hammer 30 or 40 years ago, is now meant by Jeremiahs Hammer of the whole Earth. Britain is the Hammer of Asia, Africa, and America as well as Europe. France is a Hammer to Europe only and to America when she sends her sons and ships to Europe.
Come out of the Clouds, Doctor and let me see your Face and Shape. I know you will not: and I do not, I cannot blame you.
The two Hammers maul the World, the Sea as well as the Sand. Our United States are mauled by both. I am no Prophet But I believe that Jeremiah, if he could be consulted, would say that both these Hammers whether of Brass or Iron or Steel or Adamant must, Sooner or later be cut asunder and broken by America. Empire marches Westward, and will carry its Arms with it for without them it cannot exist in spight [sic] of all the pacific Philosophy of your Friend Jefferson and yourself.
Now, I know you will not say one word to me, in answer to this Rapsody [sic]. I shall continue ignorant of your sentiments, but I shall not love you the less. Continue to love me, let me know the progressive Happiness and good Fortune of your Children. Send me now and then a Dream, or a Fable or an Epigram with a great Point and a pure Moral, and you will be sure of the gratitude of your old Friend
John Adams
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