1774: "Much Interested in the Success of the Conflict"
In 1774, Mercy Otis Warren wrote this letter to her friend Hannah Winthrop. She described her feelings about the politics of the moment and reflected on how politics and a war could and would affect women—whether or not they had a recognized voice at the time.
Spelling and punctuation is original, and the "chief architect" mentioned and marked with an asterisks refers to British Governor Hutchinson.
To Madam H Winthrop
Plymouth 1774
When I took up my pen I determined to leave the field of politicks to those whose proper busines it is to speculate and to act at this important crisis; but the occurrences that have lately taken place are so alarming and the subject so interwoven with the enjoyments of social and domestic life as to command the attention of the mother and the wife who before the contest is decided may be called to weep over the manes of her beloved sons, slain by the same sword that deprived of life their intrepid and heroic Father. And Who in these modern days, has arrived at such a degree of Roman virtue as not to grudge the costly sacrifice?
I tremble for the event of the present commotions;- there must be a noble struggle to recover the exiring liberties of our injured country; we must re-purchase them at the expence of blood, or tamely acquiesce, and embrace the hand that holds out the chain to us and our children. Much interested in the success of the conflict — I feel myself unequal to the combat yet hope the women will never get the better of that disinterested regard to universal happiness which ought to actuate the benevolent mind. Heaven give us strength to sustain the shock, if this country should be compelled to the last appeal - and forbid that anything in your conduct or my own should countenance the opinions of those who explode every generous principle, deny the existence of patriotism and ridicule all pretences to public virtue. How derogatory to the human character are these ideas! Yet we daily see too many instances of a sordid selfish spirit prompting men to acct diametrically opposite to the welfare of society, even where there had been heretofore some pretences to integrity.
Whether the Patriots of the present day will be able to effect their laudable designs in our time is very uncertain, yet I trust they will lay the foundation deep and that future generations will not be wanting to themselves, but will maintain and support the priviledges to which they are entitled both by nature and compact
By the spirit, firmness, and the happy union in similar measures, which animates the extensive colonies;- it appears as if the wheel of fortune had taken her circle and was about to lay level with the ground some of her uppermost spokes: as it is well known that the falling joints have been long defective and the adjacent props very rotten at heart, they cannot be supposed to have strength and firmness sufficient to support the reversive motion. If there should be a total demolition of the decaying fabrick which has been building up for several years, with uncommon industry, the chief architect* in our province must retire with a thorn in his bosom, without the poor consolation of a friend hardy enough to justify his wicked attempts.
It appears to me that every step the infatuated Britons have been taking, is but a means of hastning the grandeur and glory of America;- yet still the fears of a fatal interruption of private and social enjoyment often fill my mind with gloomy apprehensions. I believe the grandeur, magnificence and wealth
of States seldom promotes, either the virtue or happiness of individuals;- where there is the most simplicity of life and manners there is most felicity:- unacquainted with the arts of civilization uncontaminated by luxury, those virtues which spring up in the soil and are most congenial to the nature of man have a chance for improvement.
Yet I am no advocate for savage life: I wish to see America boast in her turn of science and of Empire,- of Empire not established in the thraldom of nations but on a more equitable base, on such an exalted plan that while for mutual security, the authority of rulers is acknowledged, they may neither be prompted by avarice or ambition to infringe the natural rights of their fellow-men;- nor debase their own species by requiring abject and unworthy submissions, where there is little distinction but what arises from the imperfection of human nature which makes it necessary to submit to some subordination.
Though such an happy state, such an equal government, may be considered by some as an Utopian dream; yet you and I can easily conceive of nations and states rising to the highest consequence under more liberal plans than are pointed out by the marble-hearted despots of ancient or modern times.
But I expatiate no longer on the prospects of public distress nor dwell on the painful sensations of the human heart in this day of general perplexity, when the hero and the patriot are alternately exhilerated or depressed by the varying aspects of the political Hemisphere;- nor shall I make an apology for touching on a subject a little out of the line of female attention, as we are both happily united to such companions as think us capable of taking part in whatever affects themselves. As for that part of mankind who think every rational pursuit lies beyond the reach of a sex too generally devoted
to folly, their censure or applause is equally indifferent to your sincere friend
Source:
Letter from Mercy Otis Warren to Hannah Winthrop (letterbook copy), [after 1 January 1774], "When I took up my pen, I determined to leave..." Massachusetts Historical Society's Online Collections.
