University of Virginia Library

TO MRS. CRANCH.

We have accounts, by way of New York, to the
8th of March, which inform us that General Lincoln
had met with more resistance from the insurgents
than we had reason to expect from former accounts;
that an engagement had taken place, in which several
persons on both sides fell, but we do not learn
who; that Shays had got off into Vermont, where it

was probable he would meet with protection. I hope
these accounts are not well founded. Let not the
patriots of our country be discouraged or disheartened;
although their affairs are much embarrassed,
the country is fruitful in resources. Patience, perseverance,
industry, and frugality will accomplish
great things. Our countrymen create most of the
misfortunes they feel, for want of a disinterested
spirit, a confidence in each other, and a union of the
whole. It is a great misfortune, when one State
thwarts the measures of eleven or twelve, and thus
injures the credit and reputation of the whole. The
situation of our country greatly damps the pleasure
I should feel in anticipating my return to it. You
may well suppose that falsehoods in abundance are
circulated here; an attempt to publish the truth or
contradict them, would have no other effect than
raising a nest of hornets and wasps, and would employ
the whole time of one person. An extract of
a letter published, from Dr. Rush to Dr. Price, giving
an account of the establishment of two or three new
societies, drew upon the latter so much abuse and
scurrility as would disgrace any people. The writer,
like an envenomed toad, spit forth his poison. There
are a set of refugees residing here, the enormity of
whose offences forbids their ever returning again to
America. Like Satan, they look to the heights, from
whence they have fallen, with a malice and envy
similar to that which the arch fiend felt, when he
beheld the glory of the new world; and, like him,
they wish to destroy the happiness of its inhabitants.
Such are Galloway, and Smith, who is gone prime
minister to Lord Dorchester. A few days before he
left this country, he gave it as his solid opinion, that
he should live to see America sue to Britain for protection,
and to be received again by it; he might
have added, it should not be his fault if they did
not. I hope a watchful eye will be kept over Lord
Dorchester and all his movements. This government
are as much disposed to sow seeds of dissension
among us as ever, and build wholly upon
our splitting to pieces.