Braintree August19 1774

The great distance between us，makes thetime appear very long to me.It seems already amonth since you left me.The great anxiety I feelfor my country，for you and for our family rendersthe day tedious， and the night unpleasant.Therocks and quick sands appear upon every side.What course you can or will take is all wrapt in thebosom of futurity.Uncertainty and expectationleave the mind great scope.Did ever any kingdomor state regain their liberty， when once it wasinvaded without blood shed？I cannot think of itwithout horror.

Yet we are told that all the misfortunes of Sparta were occasioned by their too greatsolicitude for present tranquility，and by anexcessive love of peace they neglected the means ofmaking it sure and lasting.They ought to have reflected says Polibius that as there is nothingmore desirable，or advantageous than peace，whenfounded in justice and honour，so there is nothing more shameful and at the same time morepernicious when attained by bad measures，andpurchased at the price of liberty.

I have received a most charming letter fromour friend Mrs.Warren.She desires me to tellyou that her best wishes attend you through yourjourney both as a friend and patriot——hopes youwill have no uncommon difficulties to surmount orhostile movements to impede you——but if theLocrians should interrupt you，she hopes you willbeware that no future annals may say you chose anambitious Philip for your leader，who built up amonarchy on the ruins of the happy institution.

I have taken a very great fondness for reading Rollin's Ancient History since you left me.I am determined to go thro with it if possible inthese my days of solitude.I find great pleasure andentertainment from it，and I have persuadedJohnny to read me a page or two every day，andhope he will from his desire to oblige me entertaina fondness for it——We have had a charming rainwhich lasted 12 hours and has greatly revived thedying fruits of the earth.

I want much to hear from you.I long impatiently to have you upon the stage of action.The first of September or the month of September，perhaps may be of as much importance to Great Britain as the Ides of March were to Caesar.Iwish you every public as well，as private blessing，and that wisdom which is profitable both for instruction and edification to conduct you in thisdifficult day.——The little flock remember Papa，and kindly wish to see him.So does your most affectionate.

Abigail Adams

你我相隔甚远，使得时间于我显得那么漫长。自你离开我似乎已有一个月了。我为我的祖国、为你、为我们的家庭甚感忧虑，这使我白天过得沉闷，夜晚过得不愉快。礁石和流沙到处都是。你能够或将要对未来采取什么样的方针路线完全还不得而知。变化无常和期望令人思绪万千。一旦受到侵略，有哪个王国或政府没有流血就重新获得了自由呢？一想到这我就不寒而栗。

然而，就我们所知，斯巴达的一切不幸缘于他们太渴望现在的安宁，缘于他们对和平的过于珍惜而忽略了那些保持国家稳定与持久的手段。他们应该考虑波里比阿的话，基于正义与荣誉，只有和平最值得渴望最有利；因此，再也没有比以卑劣的手段获得和平，或是以牺牲自由为代价换取和平更令人感到耻辱、同时更具危害性的了。

我从我们的朋友沃沦太太那里收到了一封令人无比欣慰的信。她希望我告诉你，她作为一个朋友和一个爱国者，祝你旅途顺利，——希望你没有克服不了的困难，也没有带有敌意的运动阻碍你 ——但如果罗克里人竟会阻挠你，她希望你要意识到未来的编年史不会说你选择了一个有野心的菲利普人领导你们，并在幸福制度的废墟上建立了君主制。

自你离开我后，我甚爱读罗林的《古代历史》一书，并决心如果可能，在我独处的这些日子里读完这本书。我从中得到了极大的快乐和乐趣，我说服了约翰尼每天给我读一两页，并希望他也会从满足我的愿望中对它产生兴趣。——我们这儿下了一场及时雨，持续了12个小时，使枯萎的作物大都得以复苏。

很想收到你的信，忍不住盼你快点写信来告知你们的行动计划。9月的第一周或是整个9月，对英国来说，或许就像3月15日对凯撒一样具有重要意义。我祝愿你公私顺遂；并希望那益于引导和启迪人的睿智卓识在这困难的日子里为你指明前进的航程。小家伙们向他们的爸爸问好，并盼望见到他。你最亲爱的人儿也是一样，渴望见到你。

阿比盖尔·亚当斯

于布蓝垂

1774年8月19日

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