{"id":1378,"date":"2004-07-25T15:05:41","date_gmt":"2004-07-25T19:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/?p=1378"},"modified":"2015-05-14T15:25:15","modified_gmt":"2015-05-14T19:25:15","slug":"john-to-abigail-a-weary-traveller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sheilaomalley.com\/?p=1378","title":{"rendered":"John to Abigail: “Tea must be universally renounced.”"},"content":{"rendered":"

In June, 1774 – John Adams was asked to be a delegate at the First Continental Congress, to be held in Philadelphia starting in September. He began to prepare for the journey, while still keeping up with his law practice. He wrote to Abigail from the court in Falmouth:<\/i><\/p>\n

I believe I forgot to tell you one Anecdote: When I first came to this House it was late in the Afternoon, and I had ridden 35 miles at least. “Madam” said I to Mrs. Huston, “is it lawfull for a weary Traveller to refresh himself with a Dish of Tea provided it has been honestly smuggled, or paid no Duties?”<\/p>\n

“No sir, said she, we have renounced all Tea in this Place. I can’t make Tea, but I’ll make you Coffee.” Accordingly I have drank Coffee every Afternoon since, and have borne it very well. Tea must be universally renounced. I must be weaned, and the sooner, the better.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n