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JAMES WINTHROP TO MERCY WARREN

CAMBRIDGE, 3 Aug., 1791

MADAM, - I send the two first Volumes of Gibbons' continuation, the whole work not being at home. You will see that all the answers which the first part produced have not tamed him on the subject of Christianity. Besides some gross allusions he takes every opportunity to exalt the character of the heathen or mahometan princes who discovered any appearance of virtue; not considering that under our system every man almost has more virtue than the saints of the infidels, if such an expression is not an absurdity.

I have several times since my return mentioned in company Mrs. Macaulay's answer to Burke,' but cannot find that any copies of it are abroad, except yours. This I a little wonder at, considering the eminence of the writer and the value of the work. For clear, comprehensive reasoning I think it a capital performance, tho' it has not Paine's zeal. I have read Burke but it is a dreadful heavy work. He spends his whole force in proving the inefficiency of experiments in France that have succeeded in America. It is true that in both countries the establishments are new, and require vigilance to guard them against the attempts of those who are still attached to hereditary distinctions. But every day will add strength to systems that are right, while errors will gradually wear out. . . .

JAMES WINTHROP

MADAM,

HENRY KNOX TO MERCY WARREN

Philadelphia, 12 Jany., 1792

Although I duly received your favor of the 12th of last month, yet my anxiety for your grief has prevented until now my writing to you.

In such a case it is only for a parent to feel a parent's woe.2

I It was published, anonymously, in 1790, being in the form of a letter addressed to the Earl of Stanhope.

2 Her son George Warren died in Maine.

Although consolations might be offered to alleviate your afflictions, yet it is fairly presumed that minds elevated and improved as yours and that of General Warren's, have on so dreadful an occasion had recourse to the proper and only sources of comfort. Great father of spirits, how severe the Agony of a tender parent on such a loss! I cannot dwell on the theme!

Permit me only to add, my ardent prayer, that your farther continuance here, may as much as possible be an anticipation of the happiness destined hereafter to reward the good.

I am madam with sentiments of entire cordiality and respect Your and General Warren's sincere friend and very humble Servant,

H. KNOX

MRS. JUDITH SARGENT MURRAY TO MERCY WARREN

BOSTON, FRANKLIN PLACE, March 4th, 1796

RESPECTED MADAM, — Although I cannot boast the honor of a personal acquaintance with you, yet having repeatedly perused, with highly zested pleasure, the volume with which you have obliged the world, I trace in that invaluable publication, amid the brilliant manifestations of Genius so conspicuously displayed therein, unequivocal demonstration of a mind fraught with a sufficient degree of candour, and benevolence, to embolden a more humble Adventurer in the Career of fame, to solicit your sanction to an attempt, originating in an ardent solicitude to please, and cherished, and matured, by the emulative glow, so frequently enkindled by great examples. When the Virtues are combined with talents, admiration is then the growth of Reason, and justice delighteth to entwine for the brow of merit, thus established, her ever blooming chaplets. Yes, honored Lady, It is most true "To lead the envied way is thine." But, tracing thy splendid footsteps, the daughters of Columbia become ambitious of some reflected ray, by which to point the lengthening view, with such wide expansion out spread before them; and the literary Votaress, aspiring to distinction, will ambitiously seek to authorize her pre

tensions by the Celebrious name of Warren. It is hence, Madam, that the inclosed proposals meet your eye, and if you will condescend to propitiate the wishes of the Gleaner, by your own signature, and that of any of your numerous friends, you will, in the course of the Essays, contained in the work, be furnished with a reason for my assuming the masculine character, and you will confer a very high obligation on one, who has wept over your misfortunes, who has been improved, and charmed by your "Fame embelished lays," who entertains a fervent wish for your continued, and augmenting celebrity, and who has the honor to be, with great respect, and high esteem Madam, your most obedient humble servant,

J. SARGENT MURRAY1

JABEZ BOWEN TO MERCY WARREN

DEAR MADAM,

PROVIDENCE, April 20th, 1796

Your favour of the 21st of March came duly to hand, and tho' we have not keept up that correspondence which arose from an Acquaintance formed when the whole Soule was Engaged for the saving of our Country from the Yorke of Oppression, Yet we on our parts have omitted no oppertunity that presented, to enquire after the Welfare of you and Yours.

The verry heavy Afflictions that has befallen our Families, particularly in the Removing our First Born, our Eldest Son,2 one would naturally suppose should tend to draw the Cords of Friendship more close: may we make such Improvements from these dispensations, as shall enable us more and more to Honour our great Benefactor let our circumstances in Life be as they may. You enquire after the Health of our Aged Parents 3 I have the

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1 Mrs. Judith (Sargent Stevens) Murray, daughter of Winthrop Sargent, printed in the Massachusetts Magazine essays gathered in three volumes in 1798 as The Gleaner, by Constantia and also "Poetical Essays" over the signature Honora Martesia in the Boston Weekly Magazine. A "new series" of The Gleaner appeared in London in 1845. She died at Natchez, Mississippi, June 6, 1820, aged sixty-nine years. Her second husband was Rev. John Murray (1741-1815), said to be the first preacher of universal salvation in America. 2 Obadiah Bowen (1763-1793), being lost in the shipwreck of the Mary, off Dunkirk. 3 Ephraim Bowen (d. 1812) and Mary Fenner.

pleasure to inform you that they Enjoy Life with much Vivacity and Health. Sisters Nancy and Fanny have both Marrid in South Carolina the first to Mr. Ed. Mitchel1 the latter to Mr. John E. Moore.2 Eliza, Marrid Mr. John Ward and sister Mary remains in her Father's house to Comfort the old Folks. The rest of our Friends with whom you are Acquainted enjoy health, except Sister Clarke who has been long an Invalid.

My Business in the Loan Office makes it verry difficult to leave Town, so that I cannot promise a Visit soon. Nevertheless we shall be really glad to see you and the General here soon, we will exert our best Abilities to make the Time pass agreably and Pleasantly.

When we settled our Accounts there was Twelve Books remained on hand, and which I expected you would have Orderd out of my Hands. I will use my Endeavours to dispose of them, or will send them to the person you may direct.

Mrs. Bowen presents her best Comps. to you the Genl. and the other Branches of your Family, with whom I joyn, and Remain, Madam your Friend and Obedient Servant,

JABEZ BOWEN 4

JOHN ADAMS TO ELBRIDGE GERRY

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PHILA., Feb. 20, 1797

MY DEAR SIR, Your favour of 30th of January has not yet been answered. It is full of Observations, which could not be made but by a Man of Experience as well as Wisdom and public Spirit.

Information will not be easy for me to obtain especially from the Southern States where my Friends are generally so old and so disinclined to interfere, if not so indolent, that I shall be obliged to receive it frequently from Enemies or at least from cold Friends.

I Married September 6, 1792.

3 Married December 25, 1792.

2 Married August 24, 1789.

4 (1739-1815.) See Yale Biographies (Dexter), 11. 452.

I shall seize it however with avidity, let it come from whom it will, if I can depend upon it as fact.

I feel no apprehensions from Mr. Jefferson. The Cause of the irritation upon his Nerves, which broke out in some disagreable Appearances, a few years ago, is now removed as I believe; and I expect, from his ancient friendship, his good Sense and general good dispositions, a decorum of Conduct at least, if not as cordial and uniform a Support as I have given to my Predecessor, which is and shall be, the Pride and boast of my Life. I have had Temptations, which however I found no disposition in my heart to comply with and found no difficulty to resist.

As to information from abroad; that is already in a train that it will be very difficult, if not impossible for me, to interrupt. There are, who, you may suppose, have enough of my Confidence. There are none, whom I distrust. But I wish I could be more confident than I am of the Industry Vigilance and Zeal as well as Judgment and discernment of some. Talents of some sorts, however brilliant, are not always the only ones, necessary to search the hearts of Courtiers and penetrate the Views of Cabinets.

The Places abroad are or will be, before my Day arrives, all full. It is my private opinion that Ministers at the Neutral Courts of Sweeden and Denmark, would at this important Period, be not only usefull, but important. But among the Representatives there are so many against all foreign Missions and so many more against enlarging the Number, that I fear it will be hopeless to propose such a measure.

Indeed the Office before me, is not a "Sinecure." I never in my life felt such an awful Weight of Obligation to devote all my time, and all the forces that remain, to the Public.

It will be in your Power to alleviate the Burden a great deal, unless yours should be increas'd in a way that I must confess Is the Wish of your Friend and Sert.

JOHN ADAMS

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