Try the Experiment without them. But France and England will part the Continent between them. Perhaps so, but both will have good luck to get it. But you will say what is your own opinion of these Things? I answer, I would not tell you all that I have said, and written, and done in this Business for a shilling, because Letters are now a days jumpd after. Why don't your Honours of the General Court, if you are so unanimous in this, give positive Instructions to your own Delegates, to promote Independency. Don't blame your Delegates untill they have disobeyed your Instructions in favour of Independency. The S[outhern] Colonies say you are afraid. [No signature.] MERCY WARREN TO ABIGAIL ADAMS ADAMS MSS. If my dear friend required only a very long Letter to make it agreeable, I could Easily Gratify her, but I know there Must be Many More Requisits to make it pleaseing to her taste. If you Measure by lines, I can at once comply; if by Sentiment, I fear I shall fall short. But as a Curiosity seems to be awake with Respect to the Company I keep and the Manner of Spending My time, I will Endeavor to Gratify you. I arrived at my lodgings before dinner the day I left you: found an obligeing family, Convenient Room and in the Main an Agreeable Set of Lodgers. Next Morning I took a ride to Cambridge and waited on Mrs. W[ashingto]n, at a II o'clock, where I was Received with that politeness and Respect shown in a first interview among the well bred, and with the Ease and Cordiality of friendship of a Much Earlier date. If you wish to hear more of this Lady's Character, I will tell you the Complacency of her Manners Speaks at once the Benevolence of her heart, and her affability, Cander, and Gentleness Qualify her to soften the hours of private Life, or to Sweeten the Cares of the Hero, and Smooth the Rugged pains of War. I did not dine with her, tho Much Urged. She desired me to Name an Early hour in the Morning when She would send her Chariot and accompany me to see the deserted Lines of the Enemy and the Ruins of Charleston, a Melancholy Sight, the last which Evinces the Barbarity of the Foe and leaves a deep impression of the Sufferings of that unhappy Town. Mr. Custice is the only Son of the Lady above described—a Sensible, Modest, agreeable Young Man. His Lady, a daughter of Coll. Calverts of Mariland, appears to be as [of] an Engaging Disposition, but of so Extrem Delicate a Constitution that it Deprives her as well as her friends of part of the pleasure which I am persuaded would result from her Conversation did she Enjoy a greater Share of Health. She is pritty genteel, Easey and agreeable, but a kind of Langour about her prevents her being sociable as some Ladies. Yet it is evident it is not owing to that want of Vivacity which Renders Youth agreeable, but to a want of health which a Little Clouds her Spirits. This family which Consists of about 8 or 9 was prevented dining with us the Tuesday following by an Alarm from Newport, but calld and took leave of us the Next day, when I own I felt that kind of pain which arises from Affections when the Object of Esteem is Seperated perhaps forever. After this I kept House a Week amusing Myself with My Book, My work, and Sometimes a Letter to an absent friend. My Next Visit was to Mrs. Morgan, but as you are acquainted with her I shall Not be particular with regard to her person or Manners. The Dr. and she dined with us last Saturday in Company with General Putnam's Lady. She is what is Commonly called a very Good kind of Woman, and Commands Esteem without the Graces of politeness, the Briliancy of Wit, or the Merits of peculiar Understanding above the Rest of her Sex, yet to be Valued for an Honest, unornamented, plain hearted friendship Discovered in her Deportment at the first acquaintance. All other Characters or Occurrences I shall leave for another oppertunity only shall Mention a Lady who has been a Lodger in our family for a week past and has been a great addition to the Chearfulness and Good Humour of the family. It is a Mrs. Orn of Marblehead,1 a well disposed pleasant agreeable Woman. The more regard you Express for a friend of Mine, the Greater My Obligation. I have sent forward My Letter to Mr. Adams, but Suppose I should have No answer unless Stimulated by you. 1 Both Azor and Joshua Orne were members of the House at this time. Try the Experiment without them. But France and England will part the Continent between them. Perhaps so, but both will have good luck to get it. But you will say what is your own opinion of these Things? I answer, I would not tell you all that I have said, and written, and done in this Business for a shilling, because Letters are now a days jumpd after. Why don't your Honours of the General Court, if you are so unanimous in this, give positive Instructions to your own Delegates, to promote Independency. Don't blame your Delegates untill they have disobeyed your Instructions in favour of Independency. The S[outhern] Colonies say you are afraid. [No signature.] MERCY WARREN TO ABIGAIL ADAMS ADAMS MSS. If my dear friend required only a very long Letter to make it agreeable, I could Easily Gratify her, but I know there Must be Many More Requisits to make it pleaseing to her taste. If you Measure by lines, I can at once comply; if by Sentiment, I fear I shall fall short. But as a Curiosity seems to be awake with Respect to the Company I keep and the Manner of Spending My time, I will endeavor to Gratify you. I arrived at my lodgings before dinner the day I left you: found an obligeing family, Convenient Room and in the Main an Agreeable Set of Lodgers. Next Morning I took a ride to Cambridge and waited on Mrs. W[ashingto]n, at a II o'clock, where I was Received with that politeness and Respect shown in a first interview among the well bred, and with the Ease and Cordiality of friendship of a Much Earlier date. If you wish to hear more of this Lady's Character, I will tell you the Complacency of her Manners Speaks at once the Benevolence of her heart, and her affability, Cander, and Gentleness Qualify her to soften the hours of private Life, or to Sweeten the Cares of the Hero, and Smooth the Rugged pains of War. I did not dine with her, tho Much Urged. She desired me to Name an Early hour in the Morning when She would send her Chariot and accompany me to see the deserted Lines of the Enemy and the Ruins of - Charleston, a Melancholy Sight, the last which Evinces the Barbarity of the Foe and leaves a deep impression of the Sufferings of that unhappy Town. Mr. Custice is the only Son of the Lady above described a Sensible, Modest, agreeable Young Man. His Lady, a daughter of Coll. Calverts of Mariland, appears to be as [of] an Engaging Disposition, but of so Extrem Delicate a Constitution that it Deprives her as well as her friends of part of the pleasure which I am persuaded would result from her Conversation did she Enjoy a greater Share of Health. She is pritty genteel, Easey and agreeable, but a kind of Langour about her prevents her being sociable as some Ladies. Yet it is evident it is not owing to that want of Vivacity which Renders Youth agreeable, but to a want of health which a Little Clouds her Spirits. This family which Consists of about 8 or 9 was prevented dining with us the Tuesday following by an Alarm from Newport, but calld and took leave of us the Next day, when I own I felt that kind of pain which arises from Affections when the Object of Esteem is Seperated perhaps forever. After this I kept House a Week amusing Myself with My Book, My work, and Sometimes a Letter to an absent friend. My Next Visit was to Mrs. Morgan, but as you are acquainted with her I shall Not be particular with regard to her person or Manners. The Dr. and she dined with us last Saturday in Company with General Putnam's Lady. She is what is Commonly called a very Good kind of Woman, and Commands Esteem without the Graces of politeness, the Briliancy of Wit, or the Merits of peculiar Understanding above the Rest of her Sex, yet to be Valued for an Honest, unornamented, plain hearted friendship Discovered in her Deportment at the first acquaintance. All other Characters or Occurrences I shall leave for another oppertunity only shall Mention a Lady who has been a Lodger in our family for a week past and has been a great addition to the Chearfulness and Good Humour of the family. It is a Mrs. Orn of Marblehead,1 a well disposed pleasant agreeable Woman. The more regard you Express for a friend of Mine, the Greater My Obligation. I have sent forward My Letter to Mr. Adams, but Suppose I should have No answer unless Stimulated by you. I Both Azor and Joshua Orne were members of the House at this time. Therefore when you write again you will not forget your affectionate, MARCIA P.S. I am very Glad to hear Coll. Quincy's family are well to whom my regards. JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN April 20th, 1776 Last evening a Letter was received by a Friend of yours, from Mr. John Penn, one of the Delegates from North Carolina, lately returned home to attend the Convention of that Colony, in which he informs, that he heard nothing praised in the Course of his Journey, but Common Sense and Independence. That this was the Cry throughout Virginia. That North Carolina were making great Preparations for War, and were determined to die poor and to die hard if they must die in Defence of their Liberties. That they had repealed, or should repeal their Instructions to their Delegates against Independence. That South Carolina had assumed a Government, chosen a Council, and John Rutledge, Esqr., President of that Council, with all the Powers of a Governor; that they have appointed Judges, and that Drayton1 is Chief Justice. "In short, sir," says this Letter, "the Vehemence of the Southern Colonies is such as will require the Coolness of the Northern Colonies, to restrain them from running to Excess." Inclosed you have a little Pamphlet, the Rise and Progress of which you shall be told. Mr. Hooper and Mr. Penn of North Carolina received from their Friends in that Colony very pressing Instances to return home and attend the Convention, and at the Same Time to bring with them every Hint they could collect concerning Government. Mr. Hooper applied to a certain Gentleman,2 acquainted him. with the Tenor of his Letters, and requested that Gentleman to give him his sentiments upon the subject. Soon afterwards Mr. Penn applied to the Same Gentleman and acquainted him with the Contents of his Letters, and requested the Same Favour. I William Henry Drayton (1742-1779). 2 John Adams. |