JOHN ADAMS TO ABIGAIL ADAMS, April 14, 1776

• Characterize his response? Why does he respond as he does?
• Choose a line or phrase from his response that you think captures the essence of his attitude or motivation. Why did you choose that line?

"As to your extraordinary Code of Laws, I cannot but laugh. We have been told that our Struggle has loosened the bands of Government everywhere. That children and Apprentices were disobedient - that schools and Colleges were grown turbulent – that Indians slighted their Guardians and Negroes grew insolent to their Masters. But your Letter was the first Intimation that another Tribe more numerous and powerful than all the rest were grown discontented….Depend upon, it, We know better than to repeal our Masculine systems….We have only the Name of Masters, and rather than give up this, which would completely subject Us to the Despotism of the Petticoat, I hope General Washington, and all our brave Heroes would fight…."

ABIGAIL ADAMS TO JOHN ADAMS, May 7, 1776

"…Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken…"