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Operation, for the present Campaigne. if it be Infamous for its Barbarism, or Contemptible for its Malicious Littleness, British Historians and Poets may reconcile it if they can to their boasted national Politeness and Magnanimity, or which is more probable deny the facts. the last we hear of them is at Rhode Island. what Town is the object of the next Expedition is uncertain. I suppose they will soon work themselves out of Stock on that side and must come round the Cape to find new objects to glut their Cruelty and revenge.

You will find by the Papers that a Detachment from Gen'l Washington's Army under Gen'l Wayne has shewn what the Spirit of Enterprize may do if exerted. we just hear that Count D'Estaing has gained a great Naval Victory in the West Indies. I wish it may prove true. if it does probably some of their Ships will be sent this way, to avoid Hurricanes, and assist us. Our Continental Ships as well as Privateers have been very successfull, many Prizes are sent in. We are now engaged in an Expedition against the Enemy, who have made a Lodgment at Penobscot. about 20 Sail of Armed Vessels of different forces sailed about 10 days ago to join 1600 Troops assembled at the Eastward. if the Enemy do not draw of their Force, or reinforce them they are stupid indeed. if they do the last, our Fleet may be in danger, and a Capital Loss may ensue. I gave you an account in my last of the deplorable State of our Currency, since which an alarm of danger from that quarter has become so general, as to form Associations of Merchants and a pretty general Convention of delegates from the several Towns at Concord. I have some Expectations from these measures, whether they sprung from Fear, or a resolute Fortitude, from self Interest, or genuine Patriotism. you will see their several proceedings in the Papers.

In September we are to have a Convention at Cambridge to form a Constitution of Government. this is to go by the Mercury Packet Capt. Samson, who carries dispatches of Congress. what they contain I dont know, I hope some honourable appointment for you. I have felt some resentment lately for your detention in Europe without being in a public active Character and Station. I am however assured by Mr. Adams that a great Majority of

Congress have very favourable Sentiments and designs with regard to you.

There goes Passenger in this Packet Mr. Elkanah Watson,' a young Gentleman I am told of very good Character. he is Son of Capt. Watson of this Town, and a remote relation of mine. he has lived and served his Time with John Browne of Providence, and I suppose is now in pursuit of Commercial plans. he intends to go to Paris, and seems to be possessed of a Laudable Ambition to be taken Notice of by Gentlemen of distinction. you will therefore by some Attention to him cherish a good Principle in the Mind of a youth and oblige Your Friend and Humble Servant,

J. WARREN

MERCY WARREN TO JOHN ADAMS

ADAMS MSS.

SIR, - This Morning your Vigalent and invariable Friend wrote you a Long Letter which makes it unnecessary for me to take up my pen, nor should I have done it by this opportunity, but in Compliance with the Wishes of Him who is so partial as to think it in my power to Contribute to the Entertainment of a Gentleman who (from Interest, from Vanity, and from more Noble principles) has such a Multitude of Correspondents. There is such Variety of Genius occasionally exerted in this way that were it not for the adverse Circumstances which prevents a safe passage you would have Little Cause to Complain that you was Forgotten on this side the Atlantic. Your Iliad would be Replete with Inteligence and your Cabinet Crouded with Epistolary Lumber, among which if you had Leasure to Retrospect you would find several unanswered from a Lady who makes no Claim to a Reply but from your politeness and Friendship. Neither of which will I suspect or Censure till assured in some Future paragraph that you have not time to answer Letters but when the Interest of the public or the Indispensable Duties of private Life Require it.

Certain I am, did all the political, Military, and Gubenatorial 1 (1758-1842), author of Men and Times of the Revolution.

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Observations which are Designed for your perusal Reach the Gardens of Passy, you would be willing to unbend a Little, by indulging to the familiar style of Female Composition. But as most of them have been Lost through fear, Misfortune, accident or Treachery, I imagine the Avidity is still kept up, and that you open Every paquet with Expectation and desire to Investigate the Plans of statsmen and survey the Martial opperations of the Heros of a Country whose Honour and Happiness you have so much at Heart.

And though no one is better qualified to penetrate the Arcana of American politics than yourself, yet I think you must be surprised at the inconsistency of Character which appears in some and at a Loss, if not for the stimulus that provoked, yet for the Influence which carried into Execution certain Resolves which have been painful to the best, and a Rich Repast to the Worst Men that Disgrace your Native Land.

How much longer shall we be Embarassed and Distressed by the selfish insiduous arts of Gamblers, Courtiers, and Stock Jobbers among ourselves, while a Mercyless Foe is laying waste our Borders, Burning our Defenceless Cities, and Murdering the Innocent of all ages and Ranks.

The spirit of party has entered into all our Departments, the Deanites, that is to say the Votaries of pleasure or the Men of Taste and Refinement, make no inconsiderable Figure. Some Deify the phantom Fashion, whether she appears in a French, a British, or American Dress: while others Worship only at the shrine of plutus. yet the old Republicans, (a solitary few) with decent solemnity and confidence still persevere, their Hands unstained by Bribes, though poverty stares them in the face, their hearts unshaken by the Levity, the Luxury, the Caprice or Whim, the Folly or ingratitude of the times. when we survey the picture we cannot but sigh with a late celebrated writer, "Alas for poor Human Nature."

On my way from Boston I lodged a week since at the foot of Pens Hill. the Family there are well, and as happy as possible in the absence of a Tender Husband, and a Fond Father. More perticuler accounts you will doubtless have by this conveyance

from the Mistress of the Mansion. There I had the pleasure of seeing your signature to several short Letters which lead us to hope our Calamities will be shortened, or Rather not increased.

As from a long Friendship with him, and a perticular Intimacy with his Lady, I feel myself sensibly touched by the Death of Dr. Winthrop, I cannot but mingle a simpathetic tear on this occasion with you, and his philosophic Friend at Passy. Both of whom so highly esteemed, and were so intimately acquainted with his Virtues, in his literary, patriotic, and Christian Character. I fear it will be long before Harvard sees a successor that will fill the Chair of the professor with Equal Honour and Ability.1

Let me assure you sir, when I begun this I designed but one page but you are so well acquainted with the Loquacity of the sex that you will easily believe I check my own inclinations when at the Bottom of the Third I subscribe the Name of your sincere Friend and Humble Servant

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Beneath the shady Forrest of Ele River, while my Best Friend has walked towards the fertile plain, to survey the Reapers, or perhaps ascends the Rugged Hills to view the sportive Flocks, I take up my pen to congratulate you, most sincerely to congratulate you on the safe Return of yours, from the busy and wearisome scenes of politics, pleasure, and politeness, to the still Delights of Domestic Felicity, where the Gladned Mother can scarcely suppress the tear of Rapture, to listen and smile alternately at the Narrations of her young traveler, and the simple tale, with which

I Prof. John Winthrop died May 3, 1779. Mrs. Warren composed some verses addressed to the widow which are printed in her Poems, 235.

the two younger Masters (emulous for papahs Attention) strive to entertain him, while the observing Daughter silently watches every accent, and treasures up every article of Inteligence for her future improvement. the Father thanks his Negligent Countrymen for suffering him so soon to Indulge in the Highest Joys of Life. But the Patriot must secretly chide the want of Decission, that Inattention to the Interests of the States, that has permited him thus early to leave Europe, when by a longer stay he might have rendered them such essential service.1

When I participate the Family Happiness, and take a part in the Felicity of my Friend, I flatter myself it is an Emenation of Benevolence.

But there is not a spark of patriotism in the Cordial Gratulation in the larger scale which is the Measure of patriotic Merit, what are the little streams of social affection, the Heart felt pleasure of the Wife, the parent and the Friend, who would not sacrifice without a sigh these smaller Considerations when pro bono publico requires, always assured of the Gratitude and applause of the unchanging Multitude.

But to be serious both you and I wish well to our Country, and will hope that some Good may result even from the Mistakes of her Rulers.

It is strongly impressed on my mind that the Return of a Gentleman rather unexpectedly to his American Friends, may give a New turn to the state of parties, and eventually be productive of Happy Consequences. But my design is to say little of public affairs. The full Heart enwrapt (after the Anxieties and impatience of a long absence) in the tender scenes of Mutual affection has no Room at pres[ent for] Foreign Cares, yet hope your own Happiness will not prevent the Recollection, nor his Avocations the Completion of a promise you made when we parted to come to Plimouth soon after Mr. Adams came home. you little thought then I should have a Demand upon you so soon. However I shall not relinquish it. I will not admit even the Indolence of Felicity as an Excuse. And though it has been observed by some that Indolence is characteristic of Genius, I think Generosity 1 John Adams returned from France August 2, 1779.

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