University of Virginia Library

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Mr. Lothrop called here this evening, and brought
me yours of the 1st of October; a day which will
ever be remembered by me, for it was the most distressing
one I ever experienced. That morning I rose,
and went into my mother's room, not apprehending
her so near her exit; went to her bed with a cup of
tea in my hand, and raised her head to give it to her.
She swallowed a few drops, gasped, and fell back
upon her pillow, opening her eyes with a look that
pierced my heart, and which I shall never forget; it
was the eagerness of a last look;

Yet she lived till five o'clock that day, but I could
not be with her. My dear father prayed twice beside
her bed that day. God Almighty was with him
and supported him that day, and enabled him to go
through the services of it. It was his communion
day; he had there a tender scene to pass through, a
young granddaughter, Betsey Cranch, joining herself
to the church, and a beloved wife dying, to pray for.
Weeping children, weeping and mourning parishioners
all round him, for every eye streamed, his own
heart almost bursting as he spoke. How painful is
the recollection, and yet how pleasing!

I know I wound your heart. Why should I?
Ought I to give relief to my own by paining yours?

My pen is always freer than my tongue. I have
written many things to you that I suppose I never
could have talked. My heart is made tender by
repeated affliction; it never was a hard heart. The
death of Patty came very near me, having lived
four years with me under my care. I hope it will
make me more continually mindful and watchful of
all those who are still committed to my charge.
'T is a great trust; I daily feel more and more of the
weight and importance of it, and of my own inability.
I wish I could have more of the assistance of my
dearest friend, but these perilous times swallow him
up.

Mr. Lothrop has given me this account of the demand

upon Falmouth. A man-of-war and two tenders
went down, and sent to the inhabitants to demand
their arms, and require them to stand neuter. They
required time to consider; they had until nine o'clock
the next day, which time they employed in removing
the women, children, and the rest of their most
valuable effects, out of danger, when they sent their
answer in the negative. Upon this, the enemy began
a cannonade, and were continuing it when the
express came away. Hitchbourne and another gentleman
got out of town in a small boat, one of the
foggy nights we have had this week. I have not
heard what intelligence he brings. Another person
says, that Howe enlarged all the prisoners but Lovell,
and he would not come out.

I have since seen the Paraphrase,[1] as it is called;
but 't is as low as the mock oration,[1] though no reflection
upon your private character, further than
immoderately whipping your scholars when you kept
school; a crime any one will acquit you of who
knows you. As a specimen of the wit and humor it
contained, I will give you the title. "A Paraphrase
upon the Second Epistle of John the Roundhead, to
James, the Prolocutor of the Rump Parliament. Dear
Devil," &c. I had it, but it was when I was in so
much distress that I cared nothing about it. I will

mention, when I see you, the foolish conjectures of
some, who want always to be finding out something
extraordinary in whatever happens.

I hope to hear often from you, which is all the
alleviation I have in your absence, and is, next to
seeing you, the greatest comfort of your