 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
TO JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
Yesterday, being Sunday, I went with your father
to the Foundling Church, Dr. Price, whom we
usually attend, being absent a few weeks in the
country. When I returned from church, I went
into my closet and took up my pen, with an intention
of writing to you; but I really felt so triste at
not having heard of your arrival, that I could not
compose myself sufficiently to write to you; so I
scribbled to your brothers. By the time I had finished
my letters, I was called to tea. Mr. Brown,
the painter, came in and spent part of the evening.
I read a sermon in Barrow upon the government of
the tongue, and went to bed with one of my old impressions,
that letters were near at hand.
This morning went below to breakfast; the urn
was brought up boiling; the chocolate ready upon
the table; enter Mr. Spiller, the butler, who, by the
way, is a very spruce body, and after very respectfully
bowing with his hands full, "Mr. Church's
compliments to you, Sir, and has brought you this
packet, but could not wait upon you to-day, as he
was obliged to go out of town." Up we all jumped;
your sister seized hold of a letter, and cried "My
brother, my brother! "We were not long opening
and perusing, and "I am so glad," and "I am so
did not fail remarking her old impression. The
chocolate grew cold, the top of the tea-pot was forgotten,
and the bread and butter went down uneaten.
Yet nobody felt the loss of breakfast. So near akin
are joy and grief, that the effect is often similar.
Our countrymen have most essentially injured
themselves by running here in shoals after the
peace, and obtaining a credit which they cannot
support. They have so shackled and hampered
themselves, that they cannot extricate themselves.
Merchants, who have given credit, are now suffering,
and that naturally creates ill-will and hard
words. His Majesty and the ministry show every
personal respect and civility which we have any
right to expect. The Marquis de la Fayette writes,
that he had always heard his Majesty was a great
dissembler, but he never was so thoroughly convinced
of it as by the reception given to the American
Minister. I wish their conduct with regard to
our country was of a piece with that which they
have shown to its representative. The Marquis of
Carmarthen and Mr. Pitt appear to possess the
most liberal ideas with respect to us, of any part of
the ministry. With regard to the negroes, they are
full and clear that they ought to be paid for; but, as
to the posts, they say the relinquishment of them
must depend upon certain other matters, which you
know they were not at liberty to explain in private
conversation; but it is no doubt they mean to keep
them as a security for the payment of the debts,
as little able to go to war as they are. The budget
has not yet been officially opened. A generous
treaty has been tendered them, upon which they
are now pondering and brewing. The fate of the
Irish propositions has thrown weight into the American
scale; but there are so many bones of contention
between us, that snarling spirits will foment
into rage, and cool ones kindle by repeated irritation.
It is astonishing, that this nation catch at
every straw which swims, and delude themselves
with the bubble that we are weary of our independence,
and wish to return under their government
again. They are more actuated by these ideas in
their whole system toward us, than by any generous
plans, which would become them as able statesmen
and a great nation. They think to effect their plans
by prohibitory acts and heavy duties. A late act
has passed, prohibiting the exportation of any tools
of any kind. They say they can injure us much
more than we can them, and they seem determined
to try the experiment. Those, who look beyond the
present moment, foresee the consequences, that this
nation will never leave us until they drive us into
power and greatness that will finally shake this
kingdom. We must struggle hard first, and find
many difficulties to encounter, but we may be a
great and a powerful nation if we will. Industry
and frugality, wisdom and virtue, must make us so.
I think America is taking steps towards a reform,
and I know her capable of whatever she undertakes.
but make her welfare your study, and spend those
hours, which others devote to cards and folly, in investigating
the great principles by which nations
have risen to glory and eminence; for your country
will one day call for your services, either in the
cabinet or field. Qualify yourself to do honor to
her.
You will probably hear, before this reaches you,
of the extraordinary affair respecting the Cardinal
Rohan. It is said that his confinement is in consequence
of his making use of the Queen's name to
get a diamond necklace of immense value into his
hands. Others say it is in consequence of some reflections
cast upon the character of the Queen; others
suppose that the real fact is not known. I send you
one newspaper account of the matter, and have not
room to add more than that I am
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |