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Political connexions, the state of parties and the Internal Feuds in your Beloved Country, you doubtless have through the hands of more Interested Observers. And if, through the Inattention of public or the Negligence of private Men you have not all the Intelligence you might Expect, you have Every thing Worthy of your Notice from a quarter that Enhances the Value of the Communication.

I therefore only add that your American Friends wish most Ardently to see; that the Friends of America wish your Residence in Europe, and that wherever you Reside, or whatever is your Mode of Life an affectionate prayer for your Happiness will be Breathed from the Lips of, Sir, your assured Friend and Humble

servant

M. WARREN

P.S. Please to make particular Compliments to the American Gentlemen of my acquaintance. A Letter from Mr. J[ohn] in the high style of Russian politeness would be very pleasing to his young Friends on Milton Hill.

May 9th. Mr. Warren expecting a more direct opportunity soon will write you Largely. this will be handed you by a Mr. Watson 1 of Marblehead, formerly of Plimouth, who wishes for an opportunity to wait on you.

JAMES WARREN TO JOHN ADAMS

ADAMS MSS.

MILTON, June 24th, 1783

MY DEAR SIR, - I thank you for your Letters of the 6th September and 15th December and should have done it long before now, but I expected to do it viva voce at Braintree or Milton, in the Month of June at furthest, but as that may probably be postponed to November, I will not loose another Opportunity of writing to you and especially so good an one as this by the America. I congratulate you on the Peace and the honourable Share you have had in making it. they both give me pleasure. Your Countrymen

I Elkanah Watson.

at present feel and express their Gratitude for your Conduct on this occasion, and those that have lead to it, and if you return soon you may enjoy it but it is not a permanent plant in your Country at least in every Instance. every Body thinks the Terms honourable on our part, and quite equal to the most sanguine Expectations and yet every Body is not pleased. had such an Event taken place in 1778, we should have received it with Extacy, every Body would have rejoiced without any other Exception than the Tories. but we love Money now better than we did then. the Farmer cant bear to see the fall of his produce, and the Merchant regrets that there is an End of the prospects of making a fortune by a single Voyage. Indeed the Contrast is great. every thing is getting into its old Station. European Goods have got below it. our Harbours are crouded with Ships. Boston and Philadelphia can furnish those Goods as cheap as London or Paris, but that matter will come right when the European Merchants have paid for the Experiment and learn'd to leave the Importation of Goods here to our Merchants.

I suppose you are now engaged in the Treaty of Commerce with Britain. shall we have the Transport Trade as before from the West Indies, to enable us to get our Ships to Market. that is a matter of Importance to this State, and perhaps more so to New Hampshire. The other States will be Indifferent which way it is decided, and some of them will prefer our being Excluded from it, because they may get their Goods to Market cheaper if our Ships have nothing else to do. The English Islands cannot be Indifferent. if we cannot carry their freights they must pay dear for our Lumber on one hand while freight may rise on the other. but if Britain should think it right to confine that Business to their own Ships, they cant complain if we do the same with regard to the Transport of Tobacco, rice, oil, etc., etc.; for if the cases are not exactly similar they are near enough for policy to accomodate the

same measures to.

The Tories in all parts of America reprobate the Article that relates to their Brother refugees and say it would have been better for them if no mention had been made of them, while it gives some Uneasiness to the Whiggs who think it may produce dissensions

among us, especially if any of them are admitted. our Papers will by the Instructions to Representatives from several Towns, give you an Idea of the Temper and Sense of the People on this head. the only one that both sides agree in Excepting to and wishing Obliterated. but let it remain. it is best we should not have every thing we wish for, and it is a Trifle in Comparison of those great Acquisitions we have secured. if we could have foreseen this period and this state of things it would have made us happy ten years ago. it would certainly have saved you and I many an anxious day and night. but flattering as our present prospect is, I agree with you it is to be ascribed to the Providence of God, and that we have much yet before us. if we do not improve our present Advantages they may not make us happy. but how are we to guard against "the Contagion of European Manners, and that Excessive Influx of Commerce, Luxury and Inhabitants from abroad which will soon Embarrass us." Commerce will flow with an irresistable Tide. Manners and Luxury will follow of course, and Inhabitants from abroad wanted in some proportion. it will be difficult to draw the Line where to stop. you must come and help us do the Great work. we want a Chief Magistrate of abilities. you must be the Man. my wish is to see it and you will be if you come. you can hardly conceive the Inconveniences we suffer from the Imbecillity of Administration in this State, and yet the Inchantment is too strong to be broken, without you. the necessity of a Rotation provided for in the Constitution never appeared more evident. but even the Constitution is not observed with that sacred regard it should be. it is violated upon any Occasion to serve a purpose. Judge Sn1 was chosen a Representative for the Town of Boston after being an Inhabitant only about six Months, and the House have declared the Election Valid. what security is there for the remaining parts of the Constitution. Ways and Means to pay our Debts, etc., are the principal Objects of Congress, and their Legislatures. Among these Imposts and Excises hold the first place, and are pursued with Enthusiasm. I wish they may not be to the ruin of Commerce, and Liberty. I have too much to say to you on this subject for the remaining part I James Sullivan (1744-1808).

of this Letter, and too much on the dangers I apprehend from the Influence and Views of some Men at and about Congress, and the trusting that or any Body of Men with a standing revenue out of the reach of our own Controul. The principal and Interest of our Debts must be paid. I cant say what is the best method but I think it would be best to assign to each State its proper proportion, and let them do it in their own way. this mode is not without Objections but I think it the safest.

Mr. Gerry goes to Congress this week. if you ask why I dont go, I will tell you because I have been Sick the whole Spring, and dare not Venture to go at this Season. Mrs. Adams and Nabby are on a Visit at Heverhill. you may suppose they are well, and will doubtless have it under their hands by this Opportunity. Mrs. Warren joins in Wishes for your Health and prosperity. our Good wishes extend to Mr. Thaxter, Mr. Storer and your Son. will you make my respectful regards to your Friend Mr. Jay. I love him for his Friendship for you, I honour him for his Probity and Patriotism in the Execution of his Important Commissions. I am Sir Your Friend with Great Esteem,

J. WARREN

ARTHUR LEE TO JAMES WARREN

IN CONGRESS, PRINCETON, Augt. 13, 1783

DEAR SIR, I had the honor of writing to Mrs. Warren relative to Your Son's object.1 I have now to add that it is not probable any question on the subject will come on 'till the new delegation takes place of the present; therefore it woud be prudent to impress them before they leave your State, in his favor.

Our removal to Philadelphia, tho much urgd, has not yet been effected; but such is the influence of art and cultivation over right and judgment that I cannot promise a vote will not at length be obtaind for that pernicious measure.

Will you have the goodness to inform me, whether any thing has been done relative to the land voted to me; and how the paperI Winslow Warren had applied, July 2, 1783, to be appointed consul.

money, of which I troubled you with a parcell to receive the interest, is now circumstancd. Whether it is funded, has depreciated or appretiated?

We have not a word from any Minister in Europe relative to the definitive treaty, which is not a little surprising. Mr. Dana was well at Petersburg in April, when he informd us that the Empress would not receive him 'till the ratification of the definitive treaty, and a new Letter of credence is sent dated posterior to the acknowlegment of our Independence by the british Crown. This seems to be an over-delicacy. Please to present my best respects to Mrs. Warren, Mrs. J. Adams, Mr. Bodwoine, and Mr. S. Adams. Farewell.

JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

A. LEE

PARIS, Septr. 10, 1783

MY DEAR FRIEND, - I received with great Pleasure yours of 24. June. The Approbation of my Countrymen is a great Pleasure and Support to me but that Approbation does not extend I fancy so far as you and several others seem to imagine. if it does I am unfit for their Purposes, having neither Health nor Patience, for the arduous and trying Duties of their first Magistrate, an honor too high and a situation too delicate for me.

A Residence in the Massachusetts is the desire of my Soul, and the only one where I can enjoy Life. I still hope to pass my Evening, hastening on apace, in that Country: But Congress have tied me again to Europe by a new Commission so honourable to me, as to have really touched my heart.2 Upon a very long Letter of mine they have founded this Commission and have owned it, in their Journals. Whoever shall compare the Letter and Commission together, will own that it does me infinite honour, and ought to silence forever every Complaint on my part for what is past. I am now indifferent who goes to England, but still think the public Good requires that some one should go.

I Journals of the Continental Congress, XXIV. 348,

2 May 1, 1783, Congress had appointed Adams, Franklin and Jay, to negotiate a treaty of commerce with Great Britain. Journals of the Continental Congress, XXIV. 320.

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