Chapter 29
I share your fears and concerns. My dreams are tormented by thoughts of our silent, much-abused friend.
Yet my mouth must remain closed, for the energy of revolution has taken the voices and minds of my countrymen by storm.
I cannot help but be filled with dread and suspicion.
However great the blessings to be derived from a revolution in government, the scenes of anarchy, cruelty, and blood which usually precede it and the difficulty of uniting a majority in favor of any system are sufficient to make every person who has been an eyewitness to the demolition of one government recoil at the prospect of overturning empires and kingdoms.
Never in my life have I been more grateful for ties with England, though they be new and for trade, that prevent us from assisting those who threaten Antoinette.
Abigail
There had been no letters from France in months.
Receiving post across the ocean was always unpredictable, but Antoinette had always managed fairly regular correspondence with Abigail since her departure.
Charlotte was less regular, but as she was less warm and friendly with Abigail, that was not much of a surprise.
The most recent letter had been filled with concern for Antoinette, but without any certain news.
If they were both worried about their friend and unsure of her situation, surely that had to be significant.
These were private worries for Abigail, however. She could not confess them to John with all he was continuing to face with Congress and the president. She could not talk to Nabby, as she and her family had left for Colonel Smith’s assignment in England.
There was no one to listen to her concerns who could possibly understand.
John had finally settled into the restraints of being vice president.
He no longer made speeches to Congress and rarely tried to intervene in their affairs while he sat in their sessions.
He was waiting for Washington to decide if he would accept another term as president or if there would be an election for a new one, as it would determine his next course of action.
But everyone in Philadelphia and New York, as well as the surrounding areas, were plenty occupied with the current financial crisis that had taken hold.
It was all part of the growth of their nation and the newly established foundations, she was assured, but the panic the crisis instilled in people was shocking.
It seemed that the bank of the United States, not even two years into its existence, had emboldened those who speculated in loans and credit, and it had not worked in their favor.
The problem was that those who had speculated so wildly had been important figures in the former treasury as well as new bankers in the nation, and they had greedily sought the control of debt securities, only to default on the loans and sink everything they had been working for.
Mr. Hamilton, the current treasury secretary, was working tirelessly to contain the crisis, and Abigail had every confidence he would manage eventually.
John was part of the committee that had been established along with the bank to specifically address these sorts of crises, so she heard far more about the details and maneuvering taking place than she ever had any interest in.
She did not understand the fascination people seemed to have with living beyond their means, but it had captured the attention of far too many people she knew.
And while the situation with the banks was being resolved, the value of land, paper, houses, and goods continued to fluctuate along a range of costs that confused all and complicated every life.
Abigail had never been so happy to live comfortably within her means in her entire life.
And she was relieved that Nabby and her children were in England for the time being.
It had wrenched her heart to part with her sweet grandsons and her daughter, and England was that dreadful ocean away, but at least the banks in England had stability and Colonel Smith would be assured of earning a good wage.
He had been restless in America, feeling unsatisfied with the political jobs offered to him, so he had looked into opportunities in Europe, having enjoyed his time there immensely.
He had been to England a few times over the years, and on his last return, had declared that he wished his family with him on his next voyage.
The news had come weeks ago while Abigail had been on her sickbed with rheumatism and intermittent fever, and it had not aided in her recovery in the least. The physical pain and limitations had been compounded by the emotional blow of her daughter’s impending departure.
She had been abed for six weeks, recovering just in time to assist with the final preparations.
Now her daughter was established once again in England, and the first of her letters had arrived.
If she had no letters from Antoinette, at least there was one from Nabby.
She smiled as she read through details of the boys’ antics and their adjustment to the British way of life and manners. No great details about Colonel Smith himself, but she supposed every couple must have their secrets.
I have recently heard the most distressing reports from Paris.
Abigail’s eyes caught on the line, blinking quickly.
Reports from Paris? Of course Nabby would hear them!
Her husband was ambitious and would likely have encouraged them to socialize regularly to make beneficial connections.
Charlotte might not have received as much information, being so elevated among the rest of the nation, and likely requiring some proof before sharing rumors.
But in this, Abigail would take rumors, just for the kernel of truth they might contain.
She returned her attention to the letter eagerly.
Shiploads of distressed and penniless priests and others are daily landing upon this island.
Rumors abound about the Marquis de Lafayette, who has not been popular since his guard fired upon demonstrators last year, killing fifty or so.
There is speculation that the French king and queen might soon fall sacrifice to the fury of the people.
Abigail’s eyes felt dry and aching as she continued to read, not caring if the information was perfectly accurate or not.
Any word from Paris would be beneficial, and Nabby’s report of the failed escape attempt of the royal family last summer broke her heart.
The king had apparently become a constitutional monarch recently, which, if Abigail was correct, was what England had, but she knew well enough that the French people were not the same as the English people.
And that matters in the nation were still very much unsettled.
I wonder what Mr. Jefferson says to all these things.
Abigail sighed.
Thomas Jefferson, once a close friend, was now as distant as could be, and he only spoke with John when their political assignments required it. They had fallen out over opinions and issues relating to the government as well as some topics that John did not relay to Abigail.
He claimed that his opinion on Jefferson might never recover, and he did not wish for her own to suffer the same.
One thing she did know, however, was that Jefferson supported the issues in France and the diminishment of the monarchy at any cost.
It wasn’t the loss of monarchy that bothered Abigail; after all, they had freed themselves from such shackles.
It was the lack of humanity regarding the individuals inhabiting the French monarchy that left her uneasy.
Somehow, the majority of people supporting the actions in France had forgotten that.
Abigail set aside Nabby’s letter and rubbed at her temples.
In the beginning of all the trouble, the revolutionary activities in France had inspired a sense of enthusiasm among the various states, feeling reminiscent of their own rebellion.
But as the news brought tales of more violence, opinions began to waver.
There were some ideas to offer assistance to the monarchy, but those who felt like Mr. Jefferson did would never agree to that, enjoying the idea of a revolutionary fever that America had begun.
Biting her tongue whenever the king and queen of France were mentioned was growing more difficult, but she had to know what was being said. Had to know everything she could.
Had to know, precisely, what she ought to pray for.
Because praying seemed to be the only thing she had the power to do.