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Literary
December 9, 1789
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
In Letter XVIII from Amsterdam, dated October 26, 1780, John Adams addresses a question on tranquility, prosperity, and public morale in war-unaffected areas of America. He describes greater calm than pre-war, ample subsistence and production, bearable taxes falling on the rich, strong support for the war, and little poverty or dejection, aside from paper money issues.
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LETTER, XVIII.
AMSTERDAM, OCTOBER 26, 1780.
SIR,
QUESTION eighteenth.— "Does sufficient tranquility, contentment, and prosperity, reign in those places where the war does not rage? Can one subsist there without feeling the oppression of the taxes? Does plenty abound there? Is there more than is necessary for consumption? Are the people well affected and encouraged to pursue the war, and endure its calamities? or is there poverty and dejection?"
There has been more of this tranquility and contentment, and fewer riots, insurrections, and seditions, throughout the whole war, and in the periods of its greatest distress, than there was for seven years before the war broke out, in those parts that I am best acquainted with.—As to subsistence, there never was or will be any difficulty.
There never was any real want of any thing but warlike stores and clothing for the army, and salt and rum both for the army and people; but they have such plentiful importations of these articles now, that there is no want, except blankets, clothing and warlike stores for the army.
The taxes are rising very high, but there never will be more laid on than the people can bear, because the representatives who lay them tax themselves and their neighbours in exact proportion.—The taxes indeed fall heaviest upon the rich, and the higher classes of people.
The earth produces grain and meat in abundance for the consumption of the people, for the support of the army, and for exportation.
The people are more universally well affected and encouraged to pursue the war, than are the people of England, France, or Spain, as far as I can judge.
As to poverty, there is hardly a beggar in the country. As to dejection, I never saw, even at the time of our greatest danger and perplexity, so much of it as appears in England, or France, upon every intelligence of a disastrous event.
The great source of grief and affliction, is the fluctuation of the paper money; but this, although it occasions unhappiness, has no violent or fatal effects.
I have the honor to be,
JOHN ADAMS.
MR. GALKOEN.
AMSTERDAM, OCTOBER 26, 1780.
SIR,
QUESTION eighteenth.— "Does sufficient tranquility, contentment, and prosperity, reign in those places where the war does not rage? Can one subsist there without feeling the oppression of the taxes? Does plenty abound there? Is there more than is necessary for consumption? Are the people well affected and encouraged to pursue the war, and endure its calamities? or is there poverty and dejection?"
There has been more of this tranquility and contentment, and fewer riots, insurrections, and seditions, throughout the whole war, and in the periods of its greatest distress, than there was for seven years before the war broke out, in those parts that I am best acquainted with.—As to subsistence, there never was or will be any difficulty.
There never was any real want of any thing but warlike stores and clothing for the army, and salt and rum both for the army and people; but they have such plentiful importations of these articles now, that there is no want, except blankets, clothing and warlike stores for the army.
The taxes are rising very high, but there never will be more laid on than the people can bear, because the representatives who lay them tax themselves and their neighbours in exact proportion.—The taxes indeed fall heaviest upon the rich, and the higher classes of people.
The earth produces grain and meat in abundance for the consumption of the people, for the support of the army, and for exportation.
The people are more universally well affected and encouraged to pursue the war, than are the people of England, France, or Spain, as far as I can judge.
As to poverty, there is hardly a beggar in the country. As to dejection, I never saw, even at the time of our greatest danger and perplexity, so much of it as appears in England, or France, upon every intelligence of a disastrous event.
The great source of grief and affliction, is the fluctuation of the paper money; but this, although it occasions unhappiness, has no violent or fatal effects.
I have the honor to be,
JOHN ADAMS.
MR. GALKOEN.
What sub-type of article is it?
Epistolary
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Political
Liberty Freedom
Taxation Oppression
What keywords are associated?
American Revolution
Wartime Economy
Public Morale
Taxation
Paper Money
John Adams
What entities or persons were involved?
John Adams.
Literary Details
Title
Letter, Xviii.
Author
John Adams.
Subject
Response To Question On Tranquility, Contentment, Prosperity, And Public Morale During The War
Key Lines
There Has Been More Of This Tranquility And Contentment, And Fewer Riots, Insurrections, And Seditions, Throughout The Whole War, And In The Periods Of Its Greatest Distress, Than There Was For Seven Years Before The War Broke Out, In Those Parts That I Am Best Acquainted With.
The Taxes Are Rising Very High, But There Never Will Be More Laid On Than The People Can Bear, Because The Representatives Who Lay Them Tax Themselves And Their Neighbours In Exact Proportion.
The People Are More Universally Well Affected And Encouraged To Pursue The War, Than Are The People Of England, France, Or Spain, As Far As I Can Judge.
As To Poverty, There Is Hardly A Beggar In The Country.