Sentiments of an American Woman
The sentiments of an American woman
The sentiments of an American woman. On the commencement of actual war, the women of America manifested a firm resolution to contribute as much as could depend on them, to the deliverance of their country (Philadelphia, 1780). Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Printed Ephemera Collection.
The sentiments of an American woman
The sentiments of an American woman. On the commencement of actual war, the women of America manifested a firm resolution to contribute as much as could depend on them, to the deliverance of their country (Philadelphia, 1780). Library of Congress Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Printed Ephemera Collection.
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| ON the commencement of actual war, the Women of America manifested a firm resolution to contribute as much as could depend on them, to the deliverance of their country. Animated by the purest patriotism, they are sensible of sorrow at this day, in not offering more than barren wishes for the success of so glorious a Revolution. They aspire to render themselves more really useful; and this sentiment is universal from the north to the south of the Thirteen United States. | When the war began, the women of America decided to do everything they could to help their country win. Inspired by patriotism, they are aware how sad it is that they’ve be able to do no more than wish for success. They want to be really useful. Women in all thirteen states feel this way. |
| Our ambition is kindled by the same of those heroines of antiquity, who have rendered their sex illustrious, and have proved to the universe, that, if the weakness of our Constitution, if opinion and manners did not forbid us to march to glory by the same paths as the Men, we should at least equal, and sometimes surpass them in our love for the public good. I glory in all that which my sex has done great and commendable. I call to mind with enthusiasm and with admiration, all those acts of courage, of constancy and patriotism, which history has transmitted to us: | Our ambition is kindled by the same of those heroines of antiquity, who have rendered their sex illustrious, and have proved to the universe, that, if the weakness of our Constitution, if opinion and manners did not forbid us to march to glory by the same paths as the Men, we should at least equal, and sometimes surpass them in our love for the public good. I glory in all that which my sex has done great and commendable. I call to mind with enthusiasm and with admiration, all those acts of courage, of constancy and patriotism, which history has transmitted to us: Our determination is inspired by the same determination that inspired heroic women in history. These women have shown that if we did not have weak bodies, and if we were allowed to act, then we would be equal to or better than men when it comes to helping our people. I proudly remember all the acts of courage, loyalty, and patriotism that have been passed down for generations. |
| The people favored by Heaven, preserved from destruction by the virtues, the zeal and the resolution of Deborah, of Judith, of Esther! The fortitude of the mother of the Maccabees, in giving up her sons to die before her eyes: Rome saved from the fury of a victorious enemy by the efforts of Volumnia, and other Roman Ladies: So many famous sieges where the women have been seen forgetting the weakness of their sex, building new walls, digging trenches with their feeble hands, furnishing arms to their defenders, they themselves darting the missile weapons on the enemy, resigning the ornaments of their apparel, and their fortune, to fill the public treasury, and to hasten the deliverance of their country; burying themselves under its ruins, throwing themselves into the flames rather than submit to the disgrace of humiliation before a proud enemy. | I admire the morals, enthusiasm, and determination of Deborah, Judith, and Esther, who saved God’s chosen people. I remember the strength of the mother of the Maccabees, who sent her sons to die while she watched. I remember Volumnia and the other Roman ladies who saved Rome. And I remember so many famous sieges where women forgot about their weakness and built walls, dug trenches, made weapons, fought, and gave up their own wealth to support their country. Women have chosen to die with their conquered country rather than surrender to the enemy. |
| Born for liberty, disdaining to bear the irons of a tyrannic government, we associate ourselves to the grandeur of those Sovereigns, cherished and revered, who have held with so much splendor the scepter of the greatest States, The Batildas, the Elizabeths, the Maries, the Catharines, who have extended the empire of liberty, and contented to reign by sweetness and justice, have broken the chains of slavery, forged by tyrants in the times of ignorance and barbarity. The Spanish Women, do they not make, at this moment, the most patriotic sacrifices, to increase the means of victory in the hands of their Sovereign. He is a friend to the French Nation. They are our allies. We call to mind, doubly interested, that it was a French Maid who kindled up amongst her fellow-citizens, the flame of patriotism buried under long misfortunes: It was the Maid of Orleans who drove from the kingdom of France the ancestors of those same British, whose odious yoke we have just shaken off; and whom it is necessary that we drive from this Continent. | We American women are born for liberty, and we refuse to be ruled by a bad government. We identify with history’s most famous queens, who extended their empires, reigned with sweetness and justice, and broke the chains of slavery. Don’t Spanish women make sacrifices to support their king, who is helping us in this war? We remember that it was a woman, Joan of Arc, who led the French against the British and won. We are also fighting the British, and we American women can help defeat them. |
| But I must limit myself to the recollection of this small number of achievements. Who knows if persons disposed to censure, and sometimes too severely with regard to us, may not disapprove our appearing acquainted even with the actions of which our sex boasts? | I must stop praising the achievements of women. Some men don’t want women to do anything. They might get upset if we know too much about the achievements of our ancestors. |
| We are at least certain, that he cannot be a good citizen who will not applaud our efforts for the relief of the armies which defend our lives, our possessions, our liberty? The situation of our soldiery has been represented to me; the evils inseparable from war, and the firm and generous spirit which has enabled them to support these. But it has been said, that they may apprehend, that, in the course of a long war, the view of their distresses may be lost, and their services be forgotten. Forgotten! never; I can answer in the name of all my sex. Brave Americans, your disinterestedness, your courage, and your constancy will always be dear to America, as long as she shall preserve her virtue. | We know that any man who wants to stop women from helping our armies is a bad citizen. I’ve learned how bad it is for our soldiers fighting this war, and how they stay firm, even when things are terrible. But the soldiers are worried that their suffering and service will be forgotten as the war drags on. Never! I speak for all women when I say, brave Americans, your sacrifice, your courage, and your loyalty will always be honored by America, as long as she stands. |
| We know that at a distance from the theatre of war, if we enjoy any tranquility, it is the fruit of your watchings, your labors, your dangers. If I live happy in the midst of my family; if my husband cultivates his field, and reaps his harvest in peace; if, surrounded with my children, I myself nourish the youngest, and press it to my bosom, without being afraid of feeing myself separated from it, by a ferocious enemy; if the house in which we dwell; if our barns, our orchards are safe at the present time from the hands of those incendiaries, it is to you that we owe it. | We know that the peaceful lives we lead are only possible b |