It’s September 2, 1783. I’m in Paris, France, with Ambassador John Adams. Mr. Adams is working out the details of the Treaty of Paris which will conclude the American War for Independence with England. Ambassador Adams is at his desk writing an affectionate letter to his 17-year-old daughter, Nabby.
JG: “Ambassador Adams, what advice are you giving your daughter?”
JA: “My daughter, get you an honest man for a husband and keep him honest. Regard the honor and moral character of the man more than all other circumstances. Think of no other greatness, but that of the soul, no other riches but those of the heart.”
Read the letter to Nabby dated June 9, 1783.
John and Jan Gillespie are the founders of the Rawhide Boys’ Ranch; they have fostered 351 teenagers and wrote the book Our 351 Sons; they have also assisted numerous churches in developing youth programs and expanding their total church ministries. After running for U.S. Senate, John founded 1776 American Dream, which exists to demonstrate the vision of our founding fathers and help our generation of youth passionately embrace those values.
