JOHN ADAMS TO MERCY WARREN

BRAINTREE, Jany. 8, 1776 DEAR MADAM, -Your Friend insists upon my Writing to you and altho I am conscious it is my Duty being deeply in Debt for a number of very agreeable Favours in the Epistolary Way, yet I doubt whether a sense of this Duty would have overcome my Inclination to Indolence and Relaxation with which my own Fire Side always inspires me, if it had not been Stimulated and quickened by her.

I was charmed with three Characters drawn by a most masterly Pen, which I recd at the southward. Copley's Pencil could not have touched off with more exquisite Finishings the Faces of those Gentlemen. Whether I ever answered that Letter I know not. But I hope Posterity will see it, if they do I am sure they will admire it. I think I will make a Bargain with you, to draw the Character of every new Personage I have an opportunity of knowing, on Condition you will do the same. My View will be to learn the Art of penetrating into Men's Bosoms, and then the more difficult Art of painting what I shall see there. You Ladies are the most infallible judges of Characters, I think.

Pray Madam, are you for an American Monarchy or Republic? Monarchy is the genteelest and most fashionable Government, and I dont know why the Ladies ought not to consult Elegance and the Fashion as well in Government as Gowns, Bureaus or Chariots.

For my own part I am so tasteless as to prefer a Republic, if We must erect an independent Government in America, which you know is utterly against my Inclination. But a Republic, altho it will infallibly beggar me and my Children, will produce Strength, Hardiness Activity, Courage, Fortitude and Enterprise; the manly noble and Sublime Qualities in human Nature, in Abundance. A Monarchy would probably, somehow or other make me rich, but it would produce so much Taste and Politeness so much Elegance in Dress, Furniture, Equipage, so much Musick and Dancing, so much Fencing and Skaiting, so much Cards and Backgammon; so much Horse Racing and Cockfighting, so many

Balls and Assemblies, so many Plays and Concerts that the very Imagination of them makes me feel vain, light, frivolous and insignificant.

It is the Form of Government which gives the decisive Colour to the Manners of the People, more than any other Thing. Under a well regulated Commonwealth, the People must be wise virtuous and cannot be otherwise. Under a Monarchy they may be as vicious and foolish as they please, nay, they cannot but be vicious and foolish. As Politicks therefore is the Science of human Happiness and human Happiness is clearly best promoted by Virtue, what thorough Politician can hesitate who has a new Government to build whether to prefer a Commonwealth or a Monarchy?

But, Madam, there is one Difficulty which I know not how to get over.

Virtue and Simplicity of Manners are indispensably necessary in a Republic among all orders and Degrees of Men. But there is so much Rascallity, so much Venality and Corruption, so much Avarice and Ambition such a Rage for Profit and Commerce among all Ranks and Degrees of Men even in America, that I sometimes doubt whether there is public Virtue enough to Support a Republic. There are two Vices most detestably predominant in every Part of America that I have yet seen which are as incompatible with the Spirit of a Commonwealth, as Light is with Darkness; I mean Servility and Flattery. A genuine Republican can no more fawn and cringe than he can domineer. Shew me the American who cannot do all. I know two or Three, I think, and very few more. However, it is the Part of a great Politician to make the Character of his People, to extinguish among them the Follies and Vices that he sees, and to create in them the Virtues and Abilities which he sees wanting. I wish I was sure that America has one such Politician but I fear she has not.

A Letter begun in Levity is likely to have... [conc]lusion, while I was writing the last Word... Paragraph my attention was called off. . . it and most melodious sounds my Ears . . . more Mortars and Musquettry.1

I The signature has been cut out, thus mangling the text on the reverse.

A very hot Fire, both of Artillery and Small Arms, has continued. for half an Hour, and has been succeeded by a luminous Phenomenon over Braintree North Common, occasioned by Burning Buildings I suppose.1

Whether our People have attacked or defended, been victorious or vanquished is to me totally uncertain. But in Either Case I rejoice, for a Defeat appears to me preferable to total Inaction. May the Supreme Ruler of Events overrule in our Favour. But if the Event of this Evening is unfortunate I think We ought at all Hazards and at any Loss to retrieve it tomorrow. I hope the Militia will be ready and our Honour be retrieved by making Boston our own.

I shall be in suspense this Night but very willing to take my Place with my Neighbours tomorrow and crush the Power of the Enemies or suffer under it.

I hope Coll Warren sleeps at Cushing's this night and that I shall see him in the Morning. Mean Time I think I shall sleep as soundly as ever.

I am Madam your most humble servant and sincere Friend,

[Signature cut.]

Mrs. Adams desires to be remembered to Mrs. Warren.

SAMUEL ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

PHILADELPHIA, January 10, 1776

MY DEAR SIR,- I wrote to you the 7th Instant by Mr. Anthony by the way of Providence, and should not so soon have troubled you with another Letter but to inform you, that upon looking over the Journals of Congress I find that the Recommendation of the 26th of October, to export Produce for a certain Purpose, is confind to the foreign West Indies; and the Resolution to stop all Trade till the first of March is subsequent to it. This last Resolution prevents your exporting your Merchantable Fish to Spain for the purpose mentiond, which I am satisfied was not intended, because I am very certain the Congress means to encourage the I See Force, American Archives, 4th Ser., Iv. 612.

Importation of those necessary Articles under the Direction of proper Persons, from every Part of the World.

I design to propose to my Colleagues to joyn with me in a Motion to extend the Recommendation so as to admit of exporting Fish to any place besides the foreign West Indies.

A few days ago, being one of a Committee to consider General Washington's last Letter to Congress, I proposd to the Committee and they readily consented to report the inclosd Resolutions, which were unanimously agreed to in Congress.1 The Committee also reported that a certain Sum should be paid to Mr. Lovel out of the military Chest towards enabling him to remove himself and his Family from Boston, but the Precedent was objected to and the last Resolve was substituted in its stead.2 The Gentlemen present however contributed and put into my hands Eighty-two Dollars for the Benefit of Mr. Lovell, which I shall remit either in Cash or a good Bill. I hope I shall soon be so happy as to hear that he is releasd from Bondage. I feel very tenderly for the Rest of my fellow Citizens who are detaind in that worst of Prisons. Methinks there is one way speedily to release them all.

This day Congress have appointed General Fry a Brigadier General of the Army at Cambridge and Coll. Arnold a Brigadier General for the Army in Canada.

Another sum of Money is orderd to be sent to you for the Use of the Army.

Jany. 13. I have sent to Mrs. Adams a Pamphlet3 which made its first Appearance a few days ago. It has fretted some folks here more than a little. I recommend it to your Perusal and wish you would borrow it of her. Don't be displeasd with me if you find the Spirit of it totally repugnant with your Ideas of Government. Read it without Prejudice, and give me your impartial Sentiments of it when you may be at Leisure. Your Friend.

1 On James Lovell. Journals of the Continental Congress, IV. 32. 2 Recommending his appointment to an office.

S. A.

3 Paine's Common Sense.