新SAT改革后，阅读部分加入了Founding documents的考察。除了在平时了解相关文献外，对于其中涉及的美国近代史上的人物，同学们也需要主动浏览相关的轶闻趣事。从本期开始，我们在‘美史文献系列’，一起愉快地了解近代北美大地上的那些人那些事儿。

 

今天我们从赫赫有名的‘the Adams Political Family’说起。

 

John Adams

· 律师、外交家

· Harvard College文学学士

· 美国任副总统，1797年当选第二任总统

· 独立宣言起草人之一, 同华盛顿、杰斐逊和富兰克林齐名

· 修建白宫，将首都从费城迁往华盛顿

 

 

Abigail Adams

· 与John Adams育有5个子女；

· 入主白宫的首位夫人；

·  美国妇女解放运动先驱，废奴主义支持者；

· 坚持书简写作, 后人整理出版作品有：

①《亚当斯夫人书简》

②《革命时期的约翰·亚当斯和夫人家书录》

 

 

 

John Quincy Adams 

· John Adams与Abigail Adams 之子，排行老二

· 律师、国务卿

· Harvard College文科硕士

· 门罗时期美国国务卿， 1825年任美国第六任总统

· 门罗主义起草者， 任内取得佛罗里达

· 会讲流利法语、荷兰语

亚当斯夫妇，是美国近代史上数一数二的模范夫妻。独立战争开始后，亚当斯在运动中担任要职，与妻子多次长时间分离。双方通过频繁的书信来往，保持着亲密的联系。 两人的书信，既记录了爱情与家庭生活的细节，也折射了独立战争前后的时代大背景。

下面，一起来看一下1776年五月份，Abigail 写给John Adams 的这封信吧 

Abigail Adams to John Adams (Excerpts)

 

Abigail Adams 

March 31, 1776

Braintree

 

I wish you would ever write me a letter half as long as I write you, and tell me, if you may, where your fleet are gone; what sort of defense Virginia can make against our common enemy; whether it is so situated as to make an able defense.

 

…in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.

 

… If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.

 

I want to hear much oftener from you than I do. March 8th was the last date of any that I have yet had. You inquire of me whether I am making saltpetre. I have not yet attempted it, but after soap-making believe I shall make the experiment.

 

I have lately seen a small manuscript describing the proportions of the various sorts of powder fit for cannon, small arms, and pistols. If it would be of any service your way, I will get it transcribed and send it to you. Every one your friends sends regards, and all the little ones. Adieu.

有兴趣的同学可以自己延伸了解这一赫赫有名的家族。这一期的美史文献盘点，就先到这里，我们下期再见。