American Minute - Nov. 5 - Abigail Adams & Mercy Warren

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

Mercy Otis Warren and Abigail Adams were two of the most influential women of the Revolutionary War era.

Mercy Otis Warren, called "The Conscience of the American Revolution," was wife of Massachusetts House Speaker, James Warren, and sister of patriot James Otis.

Mercy Otis Warren corresponded with Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton and John Adams.

In 1805, Mercy Otis Warren published a 3 volume History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution.

Abigail Adams, wife of the 2nd President and mother of the 6th President, wrote to Mercy Otis Warren on NOVEMBER 5, 1775:

"A patriot without religion in my estimation is as great a paradox as an honest Man without the fear of God. Is it possible that he whom no moral obligations bind, can have any real Good Will towards Men?"

Abigail Adams continued:

"Can he be a patriot who, by an openly vicious conduct, is undermining the very bonds of Society, corrupting the Morals of Youth, and by his bad example injuring the very Country he professes to patronize more than he can possibly compensate by intrepidity, generosity and honour?"

Abigail Adams concluded:

"Scriptures tell us 'righteousness exalteth a Nation.'"