mercy otis warren wrote in favor of american liberties. and james otis was a politician who supported the revolution, as did his brother samuel, her husband. but her father, harrison gray, who copley also painted, was a high tory and left for england when the revolution broke out. this painting ended up with her, so whether he left it with her as a way of remembering him we don't know. but this is an instance of a family being torn apart by the revolutionary war. her father left for england. she stayed with her husband and family who supported the revolution. this painting was cut back at some point and cut down on the sides. you can see the tip of her shepherd's crook was cut off and probably the tips of her fingers there on the bottom was cut off, perhaps even cutting off her hand. we do not know why it was cut back at some point. sometimes people did it just to make it fit a frame. in this room, there are many paintings by other american artists. the one i want to focus on is charles wilson peale. he is another person who painted washin

mercy otis warren was a writer and she wrote in favor of american liberties, and james otis was a politician who t tremendously supported the revolution as did his brother ot samuel, her husband. but her father, harrison gray, who copley also painted, was a tory, a high tory, and left for england when the revolution broke out. his painting, however, ended up with her.wever whether he left it with her as s way of remembering him, we don't know.m, here's an instance of a family just totally torn by the revolutionary war. her father left for england. this painting was cut back at mo some point, cut down at some point on the sides. you can see the tip of her me p shepherd's crook was cut off and probably the tips of her fingers over there and the bottom was cut off, perhaps even cutting . off her hand. we don't know why it was cut back at some point. sometimes people did it just to make it fit a frame. whywas so in this room, let's see, there are paintings by other american artists. the one i want to focus on is as charles willson peale. peale is another person who painted washington many times.

the letter that she writes to mercy otis warren, as she writes this letter is a tell sign to me that she is going further than just banter. it's beyond just talking to her husband. it's, maybe we can foment a movement. prof. ellis: she is talking to her buddy, the most literary informed women in america. the first person to write a three volume peace on the american revolution. in which she does not feature john, and he gets upset with her. [laughter] you read it absolutely -- yes, this is a frontal assault on patriarchy, meaning a need for radical restructuring of american society in order to -- i am imposing this on you -- but the agenda of the american revolution requires fundamental change in gender relationships. >> she sees an opening. and she tries to take it. prof. ellis: we have to get to michael here. gets michael the mic. now don't screw up up, my own son's name is at stake. student: a lot of pressure. i will do my best. [laughter] student: i agree it's an attack, but less a frontal assault and more a flank attack. prof. ellis: you can send some men to the front and some m