of the state, and he put them in motion to defend the country against the German Armies and the French Emigrants. He at the same time was paying the emigrants for invading their country, under the pretence of restoring the King to the ancient prerogatives, that he had himself renounced. When this fact was ascertained, it cost him his head.

The other events which characterize the extreme depravity of the old governments, are the late Conduct of the Russians in setting fire to their towns, when they found themselves unable to resist the french invaders in the field. They have claimed the honor of a great victory over the french army because they held in check the column of the latter which was on the right of the French and nearest to Moscow. In the centre and on the left Victory was decisive in favor of the French. So that as it respects the whole battle the Russians were the losers. Their subsequent conduct, shews pretty plainly what sort of victory they boasted of; for the next view we have of this same victorious army is that it retreated, the french continued their march toward Moscow, and the governor in despair of making any effectual defence set on fire and actually destroyed great part of the city, when the arrival of the French saved the remainder, and stopped the conflagration. If this can with any propriety of speech be called a victory it is difficult to determine what is not one.

Moscow is described as the most extensive town in Europe being about twenty four English miles in circuit, and tho' larger than London or Paris, did not probably contain more than a quarter of the population of either of those cities. The houses were chiefly of wood, and at a distance from each other. This accounts for the time it took to burn so much of the town as was consumed, and the number of fires to be kindled. But it seems the french Troops, whether from seeing the flames at a distance in the bearing of Moscow, or from other means of intelligence, took the alarm and arrived in time to save the greater part of the city. While the Russians were destroying their own towns and turning out the inhabitants at the beginning of winter to perish by cold and hunger, the french appeared as their saviors. Can there be any doubt to which party the affections of those distressed people

will incline? The same policy, barbarous and mistaken as it was, had been pursued by the Russians at Smolensko and other places which they had lost, and was pursued so constantly and systematically, as to leave little doubt of being grounded on imperial orders. But surely no government has a right to distress or destroy a part of their subjects, whom it finds itself unable to protect. Accordingly it has been the policy of European Nations, when they found it necessary to leave a place to the mercy of an enemy to withdraw their troops and let the inhabitants make the best terms they could with the victorious general. At the end of the War it has been customary to restore conquests. But what claim can a government have to the benefit of the rule, who consider it not as their duty to preserve their people, but suppose they have also a right to destroy them.

A reverse of the British influence seems to have taken place in Spain. Madison probably re-elected. All these things tend to give us peace.

Our friends here all join in respect to you and yours. please to accept my best respects for you and your children. I am, Madam, with great respect Your most obedient Servant

JAMES WINTHROP

ELBRIDGE GERRY TO MERCY WARREN

CAMBRIDGE, 17th Decr., 1812

I have received, my dear Madam, your friendly letter of the 7th, and proposing a ride to Quincy yesterday, I called at the Post office and was favored with that of the 12th and with the copy it enclosed.

Your congratulations are always a source of great pleasure, especially when they respect my family or self; because I am sure they are the sincere effusions of friendship. Those which respect the health of Mrs. Gerry, as you justly conceive, relate to a primary object; one that is essential to my happiness. And those which regard my supposed election, are highly flattering; as well for the sanction they imply of my political conduct, as for the

interest they manifest, in whatever concerns myself or family. for these unequivocal expressions of your good opinion and friendship, accept Madam my sincere and grateful acknowledgments. The re-election of Mr. Madison was in my mind an event of vast magnitude; for had it been defeated, G. Britain would have had a well founded prospect of a triumph over our liberty, and with all the Powers of Europe, would have considered her corrupt influence over us, as being paramount to our political Virtue, and to our sense of national honor. My opinion of Mr. Madison, is perfectly coincident with your own; "that we have more to hope" from his election, than from that of any other person "that could have been selected in the U States." The Sphere of the Vice-President is contracted, and the public expectations, it is conceived, will not extend beyond its limits.

At Quincy, I had a very agreable Interview with President Adams and his Family; and in a tête à tête, with Mrs. Adams, I remarked on the pleasure which I had derived from the information received of her visit with her daughter and one of her grand daughters, to Plymouth. I likewise stated the pleasing impression made on my mind, by the proposition of the President for terminating the differences which had existed between him and yourself; to which she replyed, that as they were not accepted, the President did not regret this circumstance, conceiving as he did, that he had gone too far in his advances. This conversation happened, in the absence of the President, who was called on by a person in waiting, and who returning, prevented further observations. Circumstanced as this affair then was, I deemed it ineligible to pursue the subject further at that time; especially as Mrs. Adams appeared to me a little uneasy; and to be guarded in her observations. Should there be any future prospect of restoring mutual friendship to my respected, my highly respected friends; I shall pursue the object with unremitted endeavours.

I return the letters and answers by your Grandson Mr. Winslow Warren; and having attentively perused both, my desires are more ardent to terminate amicably, this unhappy dissention between a Lady and Gentleman; who were once affectionate friends, and always, Ornaments of Society. The productions alluded to, if they

should attain publicity, will be sedulously applied to the injury of the fame of both parties, by their respective enemies. I regret exceedingly, that existing circumstances, seem to increase the difficulty of approximating to each other my particular friends; but despair is inadmissible, in any case, accept, I pray you, Madam, with every member of your amiable family, the affectionate regards of my own, and of your sincere and respectful friend,

E. GERRY

P. S. A visit to Plymouth this winter, will I fear be impracticable. It would give me great pleasure.1

JAMES WINTHROP TO MERCY WARREN

CAMBRIDGE, 28 Feb., 1813

MADAM, -Your two letters of Jan. 6 and Feb. 21. I received with great pleasure in due season. The first of them gives a true, tho' melancholy picture of the weakness and absurdity of the old establishments of Europe, and of the World. They have been now for a number of years on the decline, and are now mostly blotted out from the map; or in the scripture style are judged by righteous men. We trust that a better order of things is begun on that Continent.

I am sorry for the disaster of the french army in the north. Napoleon's commission seems to be to reform the Western Roman Empire. Nearly all of it is now reduced. Only England still survives with the little kingdom of Portugal. This remainder will soon vanish. But the northern powers or Gog will require some time longer. Ezekiel, if I rightly understand his 39th chapter allows seven prophetic years or 2520 common years for the contest between the believers and unbelievers. These are to be reckoned from the rise of Antichrist in A D. 532. When the judgment on Antichrist begun in 1792, half the period was elapsed. At the

I A letter from Mrs. Adams to Mrs. Warren, December 30, 1812, and Mrs. Warren's reply, January 26, 1813, are in 5 Collections, IV. 501, 503.

commencement of the second half begun the judgment on Antichrist, the 70 years of Jewish expectation and the Judgment on Gog or the northern powers. For this last Ezekiel allots seven months or 210 common years. It will therefore end about the year 2000. He says the place of their defeat shall be on the east side of the sea, in the valley of passengers, and shall be called the valley of Hamon Gog. Ez. xxxix. II. 12. The valley of passengers or resort of travellers agrees remarkably well with the Netherlands, which have for many years been distinguished as a principal part of the grand tour, and are on the East side of the Ocean. If then that part of Europe is still to be the seat of war between the northern and southern states of Europe till Gog is exhausted, we may not look for its speedy reduction. The other powers we may consider as revolutionized already beyond a recovery. The Judgment on Antichrist will determine, according to Daniel, about 1821.

The federal or british party are much elated by the late distresses of the French army; but I believe their triumph will be short Mr. Madison's election goes but little way in the scale of these great events; but it shews the preponderating sentiment of our nation. It seems to me that Great Britain will hold Portugal but a very little longer. Their power in that country will be of still shorter duration, if they send any considerable reinforcement to Canada; for I do not think, they have army enough for both services.

1

I am sorry the missionaries failed of their admission to India, and suspect it was not so much owing to their being Americans, as to their design of teaching Christianity. I believe that at present the religion of the New Testament is at as low an Ebb in India as in any part of the World, unless it be in Japan. If I recollect rightly, Buchanan 1 says the Government there prefer a native heathen before a Christian for the Offices in their gift; and that a revenue is raised from some parts of Idolatrous worship. It is then no wonder that they are loth to establish a better system. The repulsed missionaries are reported to have gone to Madagascar. But they will probably not fare much better there.

I Claudius Buchanan, who wrote much on mission work in Asia.