hinged because self Interest Wickedness and Wicked Men Abound. When was it Otherwise it is Glorious to defeat them "and after all the Struggle" what? Why secure to ourselves and Entail to Posterity Independence, Peace and Happiness. This is a Subject for an Heroic Poem - rouse therefore Your Muse. Tune it with Nervous harmony to Celebrate the Success of this great Struggle and the Characters of those whose Integrity and Virtue have defeated the Policy and Force of our Enemies and above all that Providence by whose direction I verily believe without a doubt we shall be saved. "I cant go to Congress, I wont go." Who would not with the Assurance of such good Company. I never thought of it before, you gave such great Encouragement. Sure it would be a Charming ride to shake of the Chagrin and it might be made on Grand Principles. If it be now more difficult and dangerous than ever it will be more glorious in proportion. If you fie on the Sentiment as roman Enthusiasm I call on you to Contest it. If it be Just you must practise upon it. What signify Sentiments without Exciting virtuous practise. But they did not choose me, so there is an End of all my Enthusiasm and your fears. Genl. Ward is Chose. however I will claim a little Merit with you if it be at the Expense of the prophecies of my sweet Prophetess. I prevented my own and promoted his Choice. Her little trembling Nerves was among the Influential reasons. The Others I will tell you at Another Time, only be assured for the present despair of the Cause was not Among them. I think there will soon be Another Choice - perhaps two. will you go if I will.1

We have an Account that the Enemy are gone up North River. Some say they have destroyed Peeks Hill. They will Catch a Tartar and a dire flogging soon. Why should I not prophecy as well as other Folks? My next may tell you of a Grand Fleet of our Allies in these Seas, of successful operations in Europe or the West Indies, etc., etc, to make your Heart beat with Joy instead of anxiety. Two ships are now coming in; perhaps they may bring the News I wish for. if not we shall have it. I Expect to get three ships away this week, to have some Share in raising an Army and laying a Tax to support it, and then to fly on the wings of I The choice fell upon George Partridge and Artemas Ward.

Love to the Arms of a Beloved Wife whose I am with the Greatest Affection

J. WARREN

No Rain yet Oh, Dismal. I dread a drought more than the Arms of Britain or the policy of Villains.

I wrote you yesterday by Coll. Freeman. Perhaps I shall write you again Tomorrow. You cant help it if you would, nor can I if an oppy presents and I can get a Minutes Time. Take care of your Health that I may have the pleasure of seeing you well. I am glad to hear Mrs. Lothrop Continues to grow better. My Love to her and the Boys.

Monday Morning. How do you do this fine Cool Morning? I hope very well. I am persuaded the Faintness and Languor and Complained of was oweing to the first comeing of warm weather. Perhaps that has an Influence on the Mind and Spirits. I am Nothing is a very humble Sentiment. Did ever such an Idea pass over the Imagination of a Poet before. If it returns I advise you to set down and write a Satyr on Villains, - there are enough of them. If not take in the Fools then I am sure you will have enough. I am sure the remedy will succeed and you will feel a Laudable Pride. The Ship in last Night is a prize of the Boston a French Ship from So Carolina to France taken by a York Privateer and retaken by the Boston.

JAMES WARREN TO JOHN ADAMS

ADAMS MSS.

BOSTON, N. ENGLAND, June 13, 1779 DEAR SIR, The Providence Frigate and a Packet have been long held in readiness to proceed to France. the first is now ordered to another service and we have yet no orders for the last. this is to go by a small private Vessel accidentally met with. I dare say you experience in common with us the Inconveniences of the little Intercourse between Europe and America, and wish with the same Anxiety to hear from here that we often do from Europe. We seldom hear what is acting on your Great Stage, and

when we do it is very general, that great preparations still continue to be made in France and Spain and of numbers of prizes carried into their Ports without any declaration of War, etc. with regard to us I presume the many Letters you will have by this opportunity will give you better Information than my Time and other Circumstances will admit off. The Campaigne is now fully opened, at least on the side of the Enemy, and seems to be carrying on with more vigour, and in a different Manner from former ones. they early made a descent on Georgia with a Considerable Force, where they have supported themselves much longer than was at first expected, and if the Climate don't do more for us than the Exertions and military prowess of the Southern States, I fear they will penetrate as far as Charlestown, tho we have no late Intelligence on which to ground any perticular Accounts of the State of things in that quarter. A strong detachment of the Army from New York with such Naval Force as they were able to Muster have made a Sudden Attack upon Virginia, destroyed Portsmouth in that State, and done considerable other damage, and as suddenly returned and gone up the North River, where they still remain fortifying some places and endeavouring to possess themselves of others. this military finess gives us reason to apprehend they may next play the same Game somewhere else, and perhaps some parts of the Eastern States may be the Objects of the next Maneuvre. we are therefore preparing for them, but the State of our Currency, and the selfish avaricious Spirit prevailing here, have almost extinguished the remains of Patriotism you left, created innumerable difficulties and rendered our exertions languid. However Means are taking and I hope will be effectual to rouse the People to a Sense of their true Interest and to excite them again vigorously to Unite in repelling the common danger. Near 3000 men are now raising here to join the Army as soon as possible and our Militia are all ordered to be held in readiness at a minutes warning, but our greatest difficulties are the amazing depreciation of our Money and the scarcity of provisions, especially Bread. you may form some idea of them from the price of Board in this Town from 45 to 50 dollars per week, and of the first from the prices of Molasses 8 dollars gallon, tho' plenty here

and every thing in the same or greater proportion, Bohea Tea 40 dollars per lb., and of the last from the prices of Indian corn 40 dollars per bushel, and meat from 6/ to 8/ per lb. all European Goods are also excessive high. if the Subject was not serious and melancholy, it would be laughable to hear the rates of Gauze and other Geugaws, and to see the eagerness with which they are purchased, and to observe the Vanity, Folly and Extravagance which infests all ranks of People in their Dress, and Liveing. Every Bodys Invention has been strained to find a remedy without success. Taxation seems to be the only one, and to that we have got pretty well reconciled. the General Assembly freely granted a Tax of £1,000,000. last winter that is now collecting with little grumbling, or difficulty. we have already this Session without much debate, voted another of £2,800,000. part of which is to discharge 6 Million of dollars, our proportion of 45 Million required of the several States by Congress, so you will understand that we deal in our Millions as well as Britain, and raise them as easily. it would require a volume to give you a minute detail of our situation. the above Sketch must suffice for the present. if you ask where our Army is I answer I believe the Main Body are in the Jersies. if you ask what they are doing, I cant tell.

With regard to our Naval Affairs, you may expect I should speak with more precision, as I am still drudging at the Navy Board for a morsel of Bread, while others, and among them fellows who would have cleaned my shoes five years ago, have amassed fortunes, and are riding in chariots. were you to be set down here you could not realize what you would see. you would think you was upon enchanted Ground in a world turned topsy turvy, beyond the description of Hogarths humourous pencil or Churchills Satyr. but to take up my thread.

The French Squadron has made such a diversion in the West Indies, that we have been but little troubled with their frigates, and indeed they have but very few Ships on these Stations. our frigates and privateers have succeeded accordingly and made many prizes, and among others taken several privateers and Vessels of Force as you will see by the Papers we send by this Vessel. Adams, Gerry, Lovel, and Holton are still at Congress.

Mr. Adams has been unwell and is expected here every day. he is returned a Member for this Town and is chose a Councellor, so he has his option of two Seats. which he will take I dont know. Mr. Dana returned last August, and has remained ever since and I believe will not go again. H[ancoc]k has been once but was gone but about six weeks. he tarried at Congress but about 2 weeks. the air of Philadelphia did not suit him on a Common Seat, he returned for better Health. he is now Speaker of our House, and a sinecure delegate of Congress. the last serves as a feather among others in his cap, to decorate an Illustrious Speaker. Mr. Edwards was chose last winter, has resigned. Gen'l Ward is chose in his room whether he will go I cant say. Your Friend and Servant who is now a Member of the House might have been chose but prevented it, and promoted the other. The Letters I forward from your good Lady will inform you of her welfare. I can only add that I am as I ever was Your Assured Friend and Humble Servant,

J. WARREN

Do let me know what you are, a Plenipo., a Commissioner, or what, that I may address properly, be you which of them you may you are an object of Envy. There is a Combination Political and Commercial that would supplant you and all your Brethren in Europe if they could. they wish to be able to establish their Aristocratic Principles and to make their fortunes at the same time. this Party neither like the political principles, or manners of N. England, and at the same time they fear them. you know them. part of their policy therefore is to reduce their trade, and consequently their power and influence. what would more effectually do that than by ceding all right and claim to the fishery to get a Peace. rather than see us flourish, they would be content that America should never be a Maritime Power. I want to say more on this Subject, but I think I wont. if our Allies should fall into their views, they must dismiss all expectations of Trade from us, we shall have nothing to give them. Your Predecessor has made a great racket here, and blew up a flame that I apprehended Mischief from, but the poor Man is fallen by his own devices, and