readings in the House.1 I am told there is no probability of its succeeding on the third; so far from it that even some Members on the B. Seat have without reserve Expressed their Sentiments that they should be suffered to return. Tempora Mutantur. Our Act prescribeing an Oath of Allegiance has had no Effect. Most of the Tories to whom it was tendered have swallowed it without difficulty. few Towns have had resolution enough to Tender it, and where it has been Tendered and refused and the refusers Committed for Transportation, the Council have not had resolution enough to Carry it into Execution; so that while they Complain that their Laws and resolutions are not Executed they themselves set the Example. A Certain Assembly in this State would make a strange Appearance to you, who have been acquainted with vigorous Measures upon the most steady and vigorous principles. Mr. John Pickering is now the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr. Nath'll Gorham, who Mr. Adams Calls my Cousin, is Member for Lunenburge where he has resided since the destruction of Charlestown. Edward Bacon is Member for Barnstable, etc., etc. The Boston Members I presume you know. I have before told you that I have no Share in the Conduct of Matters. I was left out by my Town. I have given you the Causes of it. When I quit the Navy Board I shall be a Simple honest Farmer, and shall have nothing to do but humbly to look at the Conduct of public Men, and public Measures. Mr. Paine has never Attended Congress since you left us. Mr. Dana is Just returned. Gen'l Hancock went last June, after he had taken Care of the public here at Election. He returned very soon finding the Climate did not agree with him. He was not gone but about six weeks. It used to agree with him better than with any of you. Perhaps the Air in the President's Seat is purer than it is in more humble Stations. After his return he went on the R. Island Expedition and there staid Just long enough to gain among the Multitude the popular Eclat, and then left it so soon as to make the more discerning laugh. He is making great Entertainments and figureing away in a most Magnificent Manner. The Eyes of

I The act was not passed till April 30, 1779. Acts and Resolves, v. 1056.
2 lb., v. 770.

many People are open and see his views and Motives, and some of the Judicious think Nothing Necessary but to veer away rope. Last week this day was Assigned for the Choice of Delegates. This early Assignment was the policy of some Men to strike at some of the present delegates with more certain success, ånd perticularly at Mr. Adams. If the great Man fails he will be Mortified indeed. Yesterday the House voted him a Marquee with all its furniture and Apparatus, for to do them Justice they are very respectful, and ready to gratify him; but this Vote was Unanimously Nonconcurred by the Council, and this is not the only Mortification in that way. The Boston and other frigates have sent in a prize they took since they left France. Your Lady will write you by this opportunity. She was here yesterday. Mrs. Warren is to dine with her tomorrow. You will please to make My Respectful Compliments to your Associates and Believe me to be Your Assured Friend,1

J. W.

MERCY WARREN TO JOHN ADAMS

ADAMS MSS.

PLIMOUTH, October 15, 1778

SIR, A Long absence from your Native shore would insure a Welcome to a line from me had I no other Claim to your Attention. But when I can Recur to former Instances of Friendship and indulgence and in addition to that assure you I take up my pen in Compliance with the Repeated request of your Good Lady, I can suppose it possible that Even the most important Negotiations may for a Moment be suspended.

Nor shall the Distance or uncertainty of Conveyance which forbids the hope of a speedy answer, Check my inclination to Converse with a Gentleman, made dear to me by the high style of friendship subsisting between him and the person who Deservedly holds the first place in my Heart, and as I have thus early mentioned this unshaken patriot I will just hint to you that

1 Letters from Samuel Adams to James Warren, October 11 and 14, 1778, are in Writings of Samuel Adams, iv. 68, 72.

Wearied with the perplexities and Embarrasments of public life, sickened by the Ingratitude and Baseness of Mankind, and sighing for the felicity of Domestic peace, He is about to leave the Mazy paths of politics, and War, and Return to the still, unvariegated scenes of the sequestered Roof.

I hope, sir, you will not be led by the Contrast which your own manner of Life Exhibits, (amidst the Intrigues of statesmen and the pleasures of the Court of Versailles) to Disapprove the Resolution. Were you now in the State of Massachusetts you might perhaps see Reasons sufficient to lead you to a similar Determination. But I shall leave it to some more Descriptive hand to Give you a true Idea of our present situation.

A state of War has Ever been Deemed unfriendly to Virtue, but such a total Change of Manners in so short a period I believe was never known in the History of Man.1

When Rapacity and profusion, pride and servility, and almost Every Vice is Contrasted in the same Breast, when a society is without Virtue, and Government without Energy, it is then Necessary some Masterly hand (who Can trace the sources of Human action) should take the Helm and New Form the Characters of the people.

When such a Genius will arise, or when Contingent Circumstances will permit its Exertion must be left till He who Rules the Empire of Creation shall by the Fiat of His Finger Commission some Agent Endowed to Execute the Benevolent purpose.

But though such an Happy Event may not soon take place yet I believe the Idol which has been set up in Susa, whom all but Daniel and the Righteous three have Fallen Down and Worshipped, will soon prove to be an Image of Clay, instead of pure Gold, and that will be sufficient to Destroy the Adulation paid the Brittle pageant though perhaps not to Root out the spirit of Idolatry.

It is probable the Next you Receive from Mrs. As will Give you an account of a superb Entertainment made this Day

I Impressed by the spirit of the times Mrs. Warren wrote a poem "On The Genius of America weeping the absurd Follies of the Day. - October 10, 1778" which is in her volume of Poems, 246.

by the Count De Estainge.1 Some Domestic Avocations obliged me to Decline the Invitation or I should Gladly have joined the Little Circle at Braintree, and made one of the party, but as I had once been on Board the Languedoc I was not impelled by Curiosity. With me the speculative would have been the principle part of the Repast, and ample as is the Field which this Connexion, and the Circumstances leading to it afford, I thought I might as well Enjoy it in my own Apartment, as in the saloon of a Marquiss, or the state Room of the first Count in France.

The squadrons of the House of Bourbon, fortifying the Harbour, Riding in the port of Boston, and Displaying the Ensigns of Harmony, are Events which though precipitated by the Folly of Britain, have outrun the Expectations of America. And as there has not yet been time to prove the sincerity of either party, I think most of those officers who Remember the Late War, (when we Huged ourselves in the protection of Britain) Look as if they Wished, Rather than believed ancient prejudices Obliterated, and half doubting our Friendship, Reluctantly hold back that Flow of affection which in Reallity we are ready to Return in full Measure, while the younger part unconscious of injuries, Discover an Honest Joy Dancing in their Eye, and Every Feature softned by the Wish of Mutual Confidence, Extend their arms to Embrace their New allies.

I am not about to Characterize those Respectable strangers which appear in our Capital, I am not Enough acquainted with their Language and Manners to judge with precision. Yet I think while the Errand on which the Count De Estainge came out Excites our Gratitude, the Dignity of his aspect Commands our Respect, and his Reserved affability (if I may so Express it) Heightens our Esteem. But he is Certainly an unfortunate officer. I wish he may yet win some palm of Victory before he Returns to the arms of his sovereign.

I have been in Company with the Marquiss Lafayette but a few Minits, but am told this Character Needs not an American pencil, having Reached a hight far beyond his years before he Crossed the Atlantic.

1 Familiar Letters, 342.

Are you, sir, acquainted with Mrs. Holker? A seperation at such a Distance from a partner possessed of so many accomplishments must be very painful. Penetrating and active, sensible and judicious, the Consul acquits himself in the Eye of the public whilst the politeness of his Manners and his agreeable Department insures his Welcome at Every social Board, and I Could not but Wisper my friend portia when he Lately made me a Visit that she was not the only Lady who sacrificed at the shrine of public utility, the best blessings of Friendship.

Yet such is Human Nature that Man is seldom known by his Demeanour, and the first favorable impression is too Frequently Forfeited by Guilt or Indiscretion Long before the Conclusion of the Drama. I therefore only Mention two or three Distinguished Characters among us just to Remind you of a proposal of your own from which I now Expect to Reap Great advantages.

Are not the Customs and Manners of Cotemporary Nations More Especially if Drawn by a hand Remarkable for its perspecuity, More Interesting and Entertaining than the Dry uncertain Narations of distant ages? The politest Court in Europe must afford Variety indeed.

Are you, sir, as much in the Good Graces of the parissian Ladies as your Venerable Colligue? We often hear he is not more an Adept in politics than a Favorite of the Fair. He has too many Complements of Gratulation and Esteem from Each quarter of the World to make it of any Consequence whither I offer my Little tribute of Respect or not. Yet I would tell him as a Friend to Mankind, as a Daughter of America and a Lover of Merit, that no one more ardently Wishes for the Continuance of his Health Vigour and usefulness, and so disinterested is my Regard, that I do not wish the patriotic sage to leave the soft Caresses of the Court of France. Least his unpolished Countrywomen should be more apt to Gaze at and admire the Virtues of the philosopher than to Embrace the Man.

Every Article of Intelligence both from the Field and the Cabinet you must have from your Numerous Correspondents and Every Anecdote of Lesser Moment Worthy your Attention you Receive under a signature more pleasing than mine.