MARTHA WASHINGTON TO MERCY WARREN

MOUNT VERNON, June the 9th, 1785

MY DEAR MADAM, I had the pleasure to receive your obliging letter of the 14th of april by Mrs. Macauly Graham the kind expressions of which, added to the recollection of those days in which you honored me with your friendship, fill me with agreeable sensations, and will ever be dear to my remembrance.

I thank you for introducing a lady so well known in the literary world as Mrs. Macauly Graham, whose agreeable company we have had the pleasure of a few days. She now returns to make happy those whom she left.

The friendship which subsisted between General Warren and Mr. Washington will never be forgotten by the latter; it was among the first formed, and most lasting at Cambridge, and with equal pleasure would be renewed by him. why it has slept, the general cannot tell. he recollects writing a long letter to Genl. Warren in the year 1779, when the army were Cantoned on the Raritan near Bound Brook in the Jersys. since which, all intercourse by letter has ceased: tho friendship is the same.

He joins me in every good wish for you and General Warren, and begs me to add the strongest assurances of the sincear esteem and regard he has for you both. With sentiments of friendship and affection I am, Dear Madam, you obedt. and obliged.

M. WASHINGTON

CATHERINE MACAULAY GRAHAM TO MERCY WARREN

DEAR MADAM, I think I hear you say, with all that animated severity which I acknowledge has sometimes offended the delicacy of your friend's sentiment, Well there is no trusting to the boasted sincerity of that idle Woman. how was I deceived when I believed her capable of the solid qualities of the mind, can patriotism dwell in a heart where friendship has no place, with what indifference of temper does she fly from society to society, pleased

with the present set of companions regardless of the past, how have I mistaken a plausibility of speech and diction for the real language of the heart.

Before you proceed any further in your observations, I must tell you, my Dear friend, that your vivacity has led you into an error that I have never forgotten or remembered with a cold indifference the many endearing obligations which we have received from our friends at Milton. That this is absolutely the first moment which I have been able to snatch from a crowd of company or from the fatigue of travelling to express those sentiments of esteem, of friendship, and of gratitude which I have always felt for Mrs Warren.

A variety of reasons have at length determined me to give up all thoughts of a subscription for a new publication of my history in this country.

The state of my health, inclines me to take the advantage of two or three years' residence in the mild and steady climate of the South of France and the delicacy of my sentiment urges me to leave my visit to the Americans free and unclogged with any considerations of interest.

I am informed by Mr. Gerry that your Son is returned from Hispaniola. I flatter myself that your Journey to Plymouth was made with the intention of establishing him in business in this place and consequently that his present state of health is equal to such an undertaking.

Had I resided any time in America I should undoubtedly have made Boston the seat of my residence, but as the calls of maternal affection and the interest of our families oblige us to a separate residence in different quarters of the Globe I shall with your leave continue our Epistolary correspondence when I am established in a Domestic way in France.

We must now take leave of you, my Dear Madam, as we are on the eve of our departure for France. we must beg the favor of you to preserve us a place in your affection and that you will remember us to the General, to the young Gentlemen of your family, and particularly to our sick friend; we also desire to be remembered particularly to Mr. Russel and his family. The uninterrupted

kindness and civility we have received from that polite benevolent man we shall not easily forget.

There are a variety of other people, my Dear Madam, who claim our attention from the civilities we have received from them we must beg of you to dispose of our compliments according to that propriety which is so evident in all your actions.

Enclosed you will find a letter from Mrs. Washington. I return you my thanks, Dear Madam, for the very kind remembrance which followed us to Providence. Our reception at Mount Vernon was of the most friendly and engaging kind we spent ten days very happily in one of the sweetest situations on the continent. The opinion we had formed of the illustrious owners was rather improved than lessened by that converse which our situation enabled us to enjoy. I am, Dear Madam, Your Affecnt. and Obednt. Servnt.

NEW YORK, July 15, '85.1

CATH. MACAULAY GRAHAM

MERCY WARREN TO JOHN ADAMS

ADAMS MSS. MILTON, Sept., 1785

The account of your son's arrival you will have from himself. the Pleasure his Friends receive from his return you will not doubt, and in every instance where my advice or attention may be either useful or pleasing, be assured I shall treat him as my own, not only from that long Friendship I have felt for his parents, backed by their particular Request, but from the affection I dare say his amiable manners will always secure.

That the Dreamers have augured and the Prophets long since foretold Mr. Adams would be the first American minister to the Court of Great Britain, is not more certain than the General satisfaction expressed in the Completion of this Event. And though it is a station attended with Difficulty and Fatigue, requiring much Delicacy and address, I have no doubt his abilities

I A letter from James Warren to Washington, September 2, 1785, is printed in Correspondence of the Revolution, Letters to Washington, IV. 113.

and Perseverance are adequate to the important trust. Nor will the train of Emmissaries who delight in mischief affect his Reputation, Integrity or Vigilance, however Variegated in shape or shaded with such dazzling Light as might put out the Eye of one less firmly attached to the interest of his Country.

Yet there are few Characters so impeccable that there is no danger of loosing sight of their patriotism amidst the Golden mists which remarkably pervade a certain Island. speculatists have observed that this shining Fog is more or less apt to injure the Optics of the Greatest Politicians and statesmen. But neither Balls, nor Birth days, or the Nameless Favours that the Dignified splendor of either sex can bestow will, I trust, influence the Probaty of a Gentleman who long Braved the ordeal trial (even in the purlieus of a Brilliant Court), and that has stood the test for more than seven years amidst jarring Factions on each side the Atlantic, that would equally have rejoiced in his Fall.

I cannot see anything you, sir, have to dread from a late appointment. Nor have I penetration to discover anything pitiable in your situation. As to Envy I cannot be so explicit. it is a kind of canker worm that Generally crawls round the loftiest Branches and Grows meagre in the innutritious soil that Genders it. it is a Reptile that may infest but seldom destroy the Heart of Oak, and while you enjoy the Dignity of office may selfapprobation ever counterballance the Malignancy of Rivalships. These may weaken the Hands but seldom depress the Heart of true Magnanimity.

Your next question is, when shall I again see my Friend Warren in public life. I answer, when Republics are Famed for their Gratitude and the Multitude learn to Discriminate; when they more Respect their Real Friends than they admire the popular Demagogue or the lukewarm adherents to public liberty, who have sacrificed nothing in the Cause and held the powerful Ballance of Wealth, which in all Countrys outweigh the shining qualities of Honest patriotism, and not before. He has never retreated from the service of his Country. Particular Circumstance which, I dare say, Mr. Adams would have thought weighty, led him at a certain period to decline several Honorary offices. this his En

emies have industriously improved to prevent his Re-election, While his independency of spirit, supported by the Rectitude of his intentions, never suffered him to make the smallest Exertions to counteract. Yet Notwithstanding his fondness for private life, if his Country should ever again require his services, Depend upon it he will step forth with the same indefatigable Zeal and Integrity that has hitherto distinguished his Character.

Mr. Dana is appointed one of the Judges of the Supreme Court. Mr. Warren bids me tell you he thinks this the only Circumstance that marks with any degree of Reputation the administration of Hancock. Mr. Gerry will not be eligable by the Confederation as a Delegate to Congress after November. I wish his Countrymen may never forget his Merits. But if his Happiness depended on their Favour, probably he might long pursue without ever overtaking the Phantom. But I have Reason to believe he means in future to build on the more solid Base of Domestic Felicity.

I fear your very eligable situation at the Court of London will Hush every Future sigh for the silent Hills in the Neighbourhood of Tremont, and, perhaps before you return to your Native Land, your Friends, who now ardently wish for your smiles, may stand in the Presence of a Monarch Infinitely superior to the Bustling potentates of this spot [?] of Creation.

Shall I ask the Favour of you, sir, to transmit by some safe Conveyance the enclosed to your young Friend in Lisbon, and shall I ask you if there is a Probability of a treaty with portugal. Nothing would have induced this young Gentleman to have fixed himself in a Country where the Religion, the Manners, and the Government are so different to the liberal Ideas in which he has been educated, but the promise of a consular appointment from many of the most Respectable Members of Congress. He has been long kept in suspence, because Congress do not appoint where no treaties are Formed, and, perhaps, there may yet be time for you to give a hint in his Favour, if you think his Merits and his Father's services deserve this small Consideration. I know you must be sensible this uniform Patriot has long laboured in the arduous struggle for the liberties of his Country: without any Emolument either of Honour or Profit to Himself or his