University of Virginia Library

TO MRS. CRANCH.

Captain Davis called yesterday to let me know
that he should sail in the course of the week. Captain
Barnard will not be long after him, and I almost
wish I was going to embark with him. I think
I should not feel more anxious if I was in the midst
of all the disturbances, than I do at this distance,
where imagination is left at full liberty. When law
and justice are laid prostrate, who or what is secure?
I received your letters, which came by Captain Scott,
just as I was going to step into the carriage to go into
the City upon some business. As I was alone, I
took them with me to read; and, when I came to that
part of your letter wherein you say that you had
hoped to have seen only peace in future, after surmounting
the horrors of one war, the idea was too
powerful for me, and the tears involuntarily flowed.
I was obliged to quit the letter till I had finished my
business; the thoughts which naturally occurred to me
were,—"For what have we been contending against
the tyranny of Britain, if we are to become the sacrifice
of a lawless banditti? Must our glory be thus
shorn and our laurels thus blasted? Is it a trifling
matter to destroy a government? Will my countrymen
justify the maxim of tyrants, that mankind are
not made for freedom? I will, however, still hope

that the majority of our fellow-citizens are too wise,
virtuous, and enlightened, to permit these outrages to
gain ground and triumph. Solon, the wise lawgiver
of Athens, published a manifesto for rendering infamous
all persons who, in civil seditions, should remain
spectators of their country's danger by a criminal
neutrality. The spirit shown by the gentleman
volunteers, and the capture of Shattuck, does honor
to our State. More energy in government would
have prevented the evil from spreading so far as it
has done.

This is a picture of the civil dissensions in Rome,
and to our mortification we find, that human nature
is the same in all ages. Neither the dread of tyrants,
the fall of empires, the havoc and desolation
of the human species, nor the more gloomy picture
of civil discord, are sufficient to deter mankind from
pursuing the same steps which have led others to
ruin; selfishness and spite, avarice and ambition,
pride and a levelling principle, are qualities very unfavorable
to the existence of civil liberty. But, whatever
is to be the fate of our country, we have determined
to come home and share it with you. Congress

have never given Mr. Adams a recall from
Holland, and he is vested (with Mr. Jefferson) with
powers to form treaties with several other countries.
His commission to this Court will terminate this
time twelve months, and he has written to Congress
his fixed and full determination to resign his commission
and return at that period, if not before. So
that, my dear sister, I most joyfully accept your invitation,
and will come home, God willing, ere
another year expires. Disagreeable as the situation
of my native State appears, I shall quit Europe with
more pleasure than I came into it, uncontaminated, I
hope, with its manners and vices. I have learned to
know the world and its value; I have seen high life;
I have witnessed the luxury and pomp of state, the
power of riches and the influence of titles, and have
beheld all ranks bow before them as the only shrine
worthy of worship. Notwithstanding this, I feel that
I can return to my little cottage, and be happier than
here; and, if we have not wealth, we have what is
better,—integrity.

I had written you thus far with an intention of
sending by Davis, but received a card to-day from
Captain Barnard, that he will sail at the same time,
which is a fortnight sooner than I expected. I have
concluded to send by him. I wrote you by Captain
Cushing, on board of whom I got Mr. Elworthy to
put a small present for you, but was much mortified

a day or two after to find, by a Boston paper, that
they were prohibited articles. I hope you will not
meet with trouble on account of them. I cannot but
approve the spirit which dictated the measure; the
causes which gave rise to it must be deplored, for it
is evidently a work of necessity rather than choice.
The luxury, which had made such rapid strides
amongst our countrymen, was more criminal than
that which is founded upon real wealth, for they have
rioted upon the property which belonged to others. It
is a very just observation, that those who have raised
an empire have always been grave and severe; they
who have ruined it have been uniformly distinguished
for their dissipation. We shall wait with impatience
for the result of General Lincoln's expedition.
Much depends upon his success. Government seem
afraid to use the power they have, and recommend
and entreat, where they ought to command; which
makes me apprehend that the evil lies deeper than
the heads or hands of Shays or Shattuck. From
letters received here both from Boston and New
York, it is to be feared that visionary schemes and
ambitious projects are taking possession of men of
property and science; but, before so important an
edifice as an established government is altered or
changed, its foundation should be examined by skilful
artists, and the materials of which it is composed,
duly investigated.

The "Defence of the American Constitutions" is
a work which may, perhaps, contribute to this end,

and I most sincerely wish it may do the good intended.

I lament with you the loss of a worthy man, for
such indeed was the friend of my dear Eliza. Our
own duration is but a span! then shall we meet those
dear friends and relatives who have gone before us,
and be engaged together in more elevated views, and
purer pleasures and enjoyments, than mortality is capable
of. Let this idea soothe the afflicted mind, and
administer balm to the wounded heart. All things
are under the government of a supreme, all-wise
Director; to Him commit the hour, the day, the
year.