Send a Quote Enter a brief message. SendOk2 “I Said to my Wife, I have accepted a Seat in the House of Representatives and thereby have consented to my own Ruin to your Ruin and the Ruin of our Children. I give you this Warning that you may prepare your Mind for your Fate.” ~ John Adams (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US PresidentSource: In a letter to Benjamin Rush, dated 4 April 1809, Adams recounts telling his wife Abigail in May 1770 after accepting the office.