It not only shows that women are interested in breaking the bondage of a heavily patriarchal society, but shows that a man in a position of power is willing to include this understanding in both his personal and political affairs. Understanding this notion is highly important when examining the political climate of the period.
This sentiment is soon followed by the acknowledgement of the rising tensions amongst the largest marginalized group, Women. This is rather too coarse a Compliment but you are so saucy, I wont blot it out.” This passage begins by acknowledging the presence of unrest amongst marginalized populations as result of leaving the Crown’s rule. But your Letter was the first Intimation that another Tribe more numerous and powerfull than all the rest were grown discontented.
That Children and Apprentices were disobedient - that schools and Colledges were grown turbulent - that Indians slighted their Guardians and Negroes grew insolent to their Masters. He writes, “We have been told that our Struggle has loosened the bands of Government every where. Even more surprising than the ease with which Abigail writes this passage, is the response given by John Adams. She goes on to further explain the notion of the men being “Naturally Tyrannical” and uses this to further her argument for proper representation under the Declaration. She makes these comments concerning the inevitable rebellion of women if denied rights and the tyrannical nature of men, with such flippancy that one can only conclude that this blunt nature with which she speaks, was commonplace within their discourse. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.” In this passage she points out several radical ideas that were almost exclusively off limits as conversation topics during the period. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. A letter written by Abigail on Mato John concerning the inclusion of women’s rights within the document states, “Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. This topic is particularly pervasive within their writings during the time period surrounding the drafting and ratification of the Declaration of Independence. Women’s rights, a topic not much discussed between husband and wife during the period (or even today for that matter), was much a part of the dialogue often shared between the two.
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