Front Cover
Paper book.
No. 15.
[The preceding text was added in the handwriting of Charles Francis Adams]
Inside Front Cover
Page i
Paper book No. 15.
copied. Vol. 3. Journal Fragments.
p 275-295.
[The preceding text was added in the handwriting of Charles Francis Adams]
Page ii
Page 1
1768.
JANUARY 30TH. SATURDAY NIGHT.
To what Object, are my Views directed? What is the End and Purpose of
my Labours Studies, Journeys, Labours of
all Kinds of Body and Mind, of Tongue and Pen? Am I grasping at Money, or
Scheming for Power? Am I planning the Illustration of my Family or the Welfare
of my Country? These are great Questions. In Truth, I am tossed about so much,
from Post to Pillar, that I have not Leisure and Tranquillity enough, to
consider distinctly my own Views, Objects and Feelings.I am mostly intent at
present, upon collecting a Library, and I find, that a great deal of Thought,
and Care, as well as Money, are necessary to assemble an ample and well chosen
Assortment of Books. -- But when this is done, it is only a means, an
Instrument. When ever I shall have compleated my
Library, my End will not be answered. Fame, Fortune, Power say some, are the
Ends intended by a Library. The Service of God, Country, Clients, Fellow Men,
say others. Which of these lie nearest my Heart? [illegible] Self
Love but serves the virtuous Mind to wake as the small Pebble stirs the
Peacefull Lake, The Center Moved, a Circle
straight succeeds, another still and still another spreads. Friend,
Parent,Neighbour, first it does embrace, our
Country next and next all human Race.
I am certain however, that the Course I pursue will neither lead me to Fame,
Fortune, Power
Page 2
Nor to the Service of my Friends, Clients or
Country. What Plan of
Study Reading or Reflection, or Business can
be pursued by a Man, who is now at
Pownalborough, then at
Marthas Vineyard, next at
Boston, then at
Taunton, presently at
Barnstable, then at
[illegible]
[illegible]
Concord, now at
Salem, then at
Cambridge, and afterwards at
Worcester. Now at Sessions, then at Pleas, now in Admiralty, now
at
Superiour Court, then in the Gallery of the
House. What a Dissipation must this be? Is it possible to pursue a regular
Train of Thinking in this desultory Life? -- By no Means. -- It is a Life of
Here and
every where, to use the Expression, that
is
applyed to Othello, by
Desdemona's Father. Here and
there and every where, a rambling, roving, vagrant, vagabond
Life. A wandering Life. At Meins
Book
store, at Bowes's Shop, at Danas
House, at Fitches, Otis's office, and the
Clerks office, in the Court Chamber, in the Gallery, at my own Fire, I am
thinking on the same Plan.
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
BOSTON
AUGUST 10 1769.
John Tudor Esq. came to me, and for the third Time repeated
his Request that I would take his Son William into my Office. I was not fond of the
Proposal as I had but 10 days before taken
Jona. Williams
Austin, for 3 years. At last however I consented and
Tudor is to come, tomorrow morning.
What shall I do with 2 Clerks at a Time? And what will the Bar, and the
World say? As to the last I am little solicitous, but my own Honour, Reputation and Conscience, are concerned in doing my
best for their Education, and Advancement in the World. For their Advancement I
can do little, for their Education, much, if I am not wanting to myself and
them.
AUG. 11TH. 1769. FRYDAY.
Mr. Tudor came, for the first Time and attended the Office,
all Day, and paid me £10 St. -- In the Morning I went to take View of
Mr.
Copelys [Copley's] Pictures, and afterwards to hear
News of the Letters arrived in Scott. The
Mystery of Iniquity, seems to be unravelled.
Spent the Evening at Mr. Wm. Coopers, the Dr. came in and
was very social. He came from a Meeting of the Overseers of the
Colledge, at
Cambridge, which was called to advise the Corporation to proceed
to the Choice of a President.
Page 6
1769.AUG. 12.
SATURDAY
Dined at Mr. Isaac Smiths and in the Evening went to
Braintree.
AUG. 13 SUNDAY.
At Mr. Quincys. Here is Solitude and Retirement. Still,
calm, and serene, cool, tranquil, and peaceful. The Cell of the Hermit. Out at
one Window, you see
Mount Wollaston, the first Seat of our Ancestors, and beyond
that
Stony field Hill, covered over with Corn and fruits.
At the other Window, an Orchard and beyond that the [illegible] large Marsh called the broad Meadows. From the East Window
of the opposite Chamber you see a fine Plain, covered with Corn and beyond that
the whole Harbour and all the Islands. From the End
Window of the East Chamber, you may see with a prospective Glass, every Ship,
Sloop, Schooner, and Brigantine, that comes in, or goes out.
Heard Mr. Wibirt, Upon Resignation and Patience under
Afflictions, in Imitation of the ancient Prophets and Apostles, a Sermon
calculated for my Uncles family, whose Funeral was attended last Week. In the
afternoon Elizabeth Adams the Widow of Micajah
Adams lately deceased was baptized, and received into full Communion
with the Church. She never knew that she was not baptized in her Infancy till
since her Husbands Decease, when her Aunt came from
Lynn and informed her. Mr. Wibirt prayed, that
the Loss of her Husband might be sanctified to her, this she bore with some
firmness, but when he came to pray that the Loss might be made up to her little
fatherless Children, the Tears could no longer be restrained. Then the
Congregation sang an Hymn upon Submission under
Page 7
Afflictions to the
Tune of the funeral Thought.
There was The whole together was a
moving Scene, and left scarcely a dry Eye in the House. After Meeting I went to
Coll. Quincys to wait on
Mr. Fisk of
Salem 79 Year Old.
This Mr. Fisk and his Sister Madam Marsh,
the former born in the very Month of the Revolution under Sir Edmund
Andros, and the latter 10 Years before that, made a very venerable
Appearance.
MONDAY
AUGUST 14.
Dined with 350 Sons of Liberty at Robinsons, the Sign of
Liberty Tree in
Dorchester. We had two Tables laid in the open Field by the
Barn, with between 300 and 400 Plates, and an Arning of Sail Cloth overhead,
and should have spent a most agreable Day had not
the [illegible] Rain made some Abatement in our Pleasures.
Mr. Dickinson the Farmers Brother,
and Mr. Reed the Secretary of
New Jersey were there, both cool, reserved and guarded all day.
After Dinner was over and the Toasts drank we were diverted with Mr.
Balch's Mimickry. He gave Us, the Lawyers
Head, and the Hunting of a Bitch fox. We had also the Liberty Song-that by the
Farmer, and that by Dr. Chh [Dr. Church],
and the whole Company joined in the Chorus. This is cultivating the Sensations
of Freedom. There was a large Collection of good Company. Otis
and Adams are politick, in
promoting these Festivals, for they tinge the Minds of the People, they
impregnate them with the sentiments of Liberty. They render the People fond of
their Leaders in the Cause, and averse and bitter against all opposers.
Page 8
To the Honour of the Sons, I did not see one Person
intoxicated, or near it.
Between 4 and 5 O clock, the Carriages were all got ready and the Company
rode off in Procession, Mr. Hancock first in his
Charriot and another Charriot bringing up the Rear. I took my Leave of the
Gentlemen and turned off for
Taunton, oated at Doty's and arrived, long
after Dark, at Noices. There I put up. I should have been at
Taunton if I had not turned back in the Morning from
Roxbury -- but I felt as if I ought not to loose this feast, as
if it was my Duty to be there. I am not able to conjecture, of what Consequence
it was whether I was there or not.
Jealousies arise from little Causes, and many might suspect, that I was not
hearty in the Cause, if I had been absent whereas none of them are more
sincere, and stedfast than I am.
TUESDAY.AUG. 15.
Rode to
Taunton, 16 miles before 9 O Clock, tho I stopped and breakfasted at Haywards
in
Easton 9 miles from
Taunton. Spent all the Leisure moments I could snatch in Reading
a Debate in Parliament, in 1744, upon a Motion to inquire into the Conduct of
Admiral Mathews and Vice Admiral Lestock in
the Mediterranean, when they had, and neglected so fine an
Opportunity of destroying the combined Fleets of
France and
Spain off
Toulon.
Page 9
1769.SEPTR. 2. SATURDAY
NIGHT.
Tho this Book has been in my Pocket, this
fortnight, I have been too slothfull, to make Use of it.
Dined at Mr. Smiths. Heard that Messrs.
Otis and Adams went Yesterday to Concert Hall, and there had
each of them a Conference with each of the Commissioners, and that all the
Commissioners met Mr. Otis, this Morning at 6 O Clock at the
British Coffee House. The Cause, and End of these Conferences, are Subjects of
much Speculation in Town.
SEPT 3D. SUNDAY.
Heard Dr. Cooper in the forenoon, Mr.
Champion of
Connecticutt in the Afternoon and Mr. Pemberton
in the Evening at the Charity Lecture. Spent the Remainder of the Evening and
supped with Mr. Otis, in Company with Mr.
Adams, Mr. Wm. Davis, and Mr. Jno.
Gill. The Evening spent in preparing for the Next Days Newspaper - a
curious Employment. Cooking up Paragraphs, Articles, Occurences, &c. --
working the political Engine! Otis talks all. He grows the
most talkative Man alive. No other Gentleman in Company can find a Space to put
in a Word -- as Dr. Swift expressed it, he leaves no Elbow
Room. There is much Sense, Knowledge, and Spirit and
Humour in his Conversation. But he grows narrative,
like an old Man. Abounds with Stories.
MONDAY [4 SEPTEMBER.]
Spent the Evening at Dr. Peckers, with the
Clubb. Mr. Otis introduced a Stranger, a
Gentleman from
Georgia, recommended to him by the late Speaker of the House in
that Province. Otis indulged himself
Page 10
in all his
Airs. Attacked the Aldermen, Inches and
Pemberton, for not calling a Town meeting to consider the
Letters of the Governor, General, Commodore, Commissioners, Collector,
Comptroller &c.charged them with Timidity, Haughtiness, Arbitrary
Dispositions, and Insolence of Office. But not the least Attention did he
shew to his Friend the Georgian. -- No Questions
concerning his Province, their Measures against the Revenue Acts, their Growth,
Manufactures, Husbandry, Commerce -- No general Conversation, concerning the
Continental Opposition - Nothing, but one continued Scene of bullying,
bantering, reproaching and ridiculing the Select Men. -- Airs and
Vapours about his Moderatorship, and Membership, and
Cushings Speakership. -- There is no Politeness nor Delicacy,
no Learning nor Ingenuity, no Taste or Sense in this Kind of Conversation.
WEDNESDAY. SEPTR. 6.
1769.
Mr. Cudworth told me on the Town house Steps, that
Mr. Charles Paxton, the Commissioner, told him this day, that
it was possible, he might be sent with some
Proscess
on board a Man of War, and he advised him, as a friend not to attempt to take
any Man from on Board the Man of War; for you have no Right to, and if you
attempt it,
you'l never come away alive -- and I want
to see Otis the
[Deputy] Sherriff to give
him the same Advice.
Page 11
-- Cudworth told this to
Otis in my Hearing, and Otis went directly to
Mr. Paxtons as I since hear, and Mr. Paxton
gave him the same Advice .
1769. OCTR.
19TH. THURDSDAY.
Last night I spent the Evening, at the House of John Williams
Esqr. the Revenue officer, in Company with
Mr. Otis, Jona. Williams Esqr. and Mr. McDaniel a Scotch
Gentleman, who has some Connection with the Commissioners, as Clerk, or
something. Williams is as sly, secret and cunning a fellow, as
need be. The Turn of his Eye, and Cast of his Countenance, is like
Thayer of
Braintree. In the Course of the Evening He said, that He knew
that Lord Townsend borrowed Money of
Paxton, when in
America, that is to the amount of £500 st. at least
that is not paid yet. He also said, in the Course of the Evening, that if he
had drank a Glass of Wine, that came out of a seizure, he would take a Puke to
throw it up. He had such a Contempt for the ads. of Seisures. He affects to speak slightly of the
Commissioners and of their Conduct, tho guardedly,
and to insinuate that his Connections, and Interest and Influence at Home with
the Boards &c. are greater than theirs.
McDaniel is a composed, grave, steady Man to appearance,
but his Eye has it's fire, still, if you view it attentively. --
Otis bore his Part very well, conversible eno, but not extravagant, not rough, nor soure.
The morning at Bracketts upon the Case of the Whale. The
afternoon at the office posting Books.
Page 12
1769.
OCTR. 24TH.
Sunday last I rode to
Braintree in the Morning, and heard Mr. Gay, of
Hingham forenoon and afternoon, upon those Words in the Proverbs
"The hoary Head is a Crown of Glory if it be found in the Way of
Righteousness." -- The good old Gentleman [illegible] had
been to the Funeral of his aged Brother at Dedham, and seemed
to be very much affected. He said in his Prayer, that God in the Course of his
Providence was admonishing him that he must very soon put off this Tabernacle,
and prayed that the Dispensation might be sanctified to him -- and he told the
People in the Introduction to his Sermon, that this would probably be the last
Exhortation they would ever hear from him their old Acquaintance. -- I have not
heard a more affecting, or more rational Entertainment on any Sabbath for many
Years.
Dined with my Friend and Uncle Mr.
Quincy, and returned after Meeting to
Boston.
Page 13
NOVEMBER
1769.
Saturday after attending Court in the Morning, I dined by particular
Invitation at Mr. Winthrops the Clerk of the Superior Court
with all the Bar, Messrs.
Dana, Kent, Otis, Fitch, Reed, S.
Quincy, B. Gridley, Cazneau, Blowers.
Otis, B. Gridley, Kent,
and S. Quincy, were the principal Talkers.
Otis talked the most, B. Gridley next,
Kent the next and S. Quincy, next. The rest
of the Company said very little.
B. Gridley told us a Story of his Uncle
Jeremiah the late Head of the Bar. "When I was a school Boy,
at Master [illegible] Lovells, Mr.
Gridley my Uncle used to make me call at his Office, sometimes, to
repeat my Lesson to him. I called there one Day for that Purpose. -- Well,
Ben! What have you to say, Ben? says he. -- I
am come to say my Lesson sir to you, says I. -- Ay? Ben? what
Book have you there? under your Arm?Virgil sir. -- Ay!
Ben? Is that the Poet, Virgil?-Yes sir. --
Well Ben, take it and read to me Ben. Read in
the Beginning of the Aeneids Ben. Yes sir. -- So I opened my
Book and began.
Arma, Virumque Cano, Trojae, qui primus ab oris.
Page 14
Arma, Virumque cano! Ben! you Blockhead! -- does
John Lovell teach you to read so - read again. -- So I began,
again.
Arma Virumque cano. -- Cano you Villain, cano -- and gave me a tremendous
Box on the Ear. -- Arma Virumque cano, you Blockhead, is the true Reading.
Thinks I, what is this - I have Blockheading and boxing enough at
Master Lovells, I wont have it repeated hear, and in a great
Passion I threw the Virgil at his Head, hit him in the Face,
and bruised his Lip, and ran away.
Ben! Ben! You Blockhead! You Villain, you
Rascall, Ben!
However away I went, and went home.
That evening, Uncle Jeremy came to our House, and sat down
with my father.
Brother, I have something to say to you about that young Rogue of a son of
yours, that Ben. He came to my Office, and I bid him read a
Line in Virgil and he read it wrong and I
box'd him, and he threw his Virgil in my
face, and wounded me, he bruised me in my Lip -- here is the Mark of it! You
must
like lick him, you must
Page 15
thresh him Brother!
I was all this Time a listening, and heard my father justify me.
Ben did right says he -- you had no Right to box him, you was
not his Master and if he read wrong you should have taught him how to read
right -- not have boxed him.
Ay? Then I find you justify the Rogue. -- Yes says father I think he did
right. -- Ay then you wont thresh him for it will you? -- No I think he ought
not to be threshed, I think you ought not to have box'd him.
What, justify the young Villain, in throwing his Book at me, and wounding me
in this Manner?
About 2 or 3 Evenings Afterwards, Uncle Jeremy was at
Clubb with Jo. Green, and John
Lovell and others, and began, with great solemnity and sobriety --
Jo.? What shall I do, last two or three days ago, I
was guilty of a bad Action and I dont know how to repair it. I boxed a little
boy a Nephew of mine very unrighteously, and he is so little, so mere a Child
that I cant ask his Pardon -- and so in solemn Sadness told the whole Story to
the Clubb."
Whether there is any Truth in any Part of this Story or not I cant say. But
if it is mere fiction, there are certainly strong Marks of Ingenuity, in the
Invention. The Pride, Obstinacy, and Sauciness of Ben, are
remembered in Ben, in the Circumstance of throwing the
Virgil.
Page 16
The same Temper in his father is
preserved in the Circumstance of his justifying it. The Suddenness, and
Imperiousness of Jeremiah, in the Boxing, and his real
Integrity, Candor,
and Benevolence, and good Nature in repenting of
it at
Clubb, and wishing to make Reparation.
B. Gridley, after this, gave us another Story of
Coll. Byfield, and his marrying a
Sailor which occasioned a great Laugh.
Upon the whole this same Ben. Gridley discovered a
Capacity, a Genius - real Sentiment, Fancy, Wit, Humour, Judgment, and Observation. Yet he seems to be
totally lost to the World. He has no Business of any Kind, lays abed till 10 'O
Clock, drinks, laughs and frolicks, but, neither studies,
[illegible] nor practices, in his Profession.
Otis spent almost all the Afternoon in telling a stories,
one of Gridleys offending the Suffolk Inferior Court, in the
Dispute about introducing Demurrers, and of his making the Amende Honorable,
making Concessions, &c. before that contemptible Tribunal -- and another
about a Conversation between Pratt, Kent and
him. Kents asking the Question, what is the chief End of Man?
and Pratts Answer to provide food &c. for other Animals,
Cabbage Lice among the rest.
Page 17
Before Dinner Kent proposed his Project of an Act of
Parliament against Devils, like to that against Witches.
Otis catched at it, and proposed the Draught of a Bill. --
Be it enacted &c. -- that whereas many of the subjects of this Realm, have
heretofore time out of Mind believed in certain imaginary Beings called Devils,
therefore be it enacted, that no one shall mention the Devil, hereafter,
&c., on Pain of high Treason, &c.
Thus are Mens Brains eternally at work according to the Proclamation of
K [King] James.
I dont think the World can furnish a more curious Collection of Characters
than those that made up this Company -- Otis,
Kent, Dana, Gridley,
Fitch, Winthrop, &c.
Page 18
1769.DECR. 23. SATURDAY
NIGHT.
At my Office reading Sidney. I have been musing this
evening upon a Report of the Case of the 4. Sailors, who were tryed last June, before the Special Court of Admiralty, for
killing Lt. Panton. A Publication only of the Record, I mean
the Articles, Plea to the jurisdiction, Testimonies of Witnesses, &c. would
be of great Utility. The Arguments which were used, are scarcely worth
publishing. Those which might be used, would be well worth the Perusal of the
Public. A great Variety of useful Learning might be brought into an History of
that Case - and the great Curiosity of the World after the Case, would make it
sell. I have half a Mind to undertake it.
The great Question The great Questions, concerning the Right of
Juries in the Colonies, by upon a Comparison of the 3 Statutes, and
concerning the Right of impressing Seamen for his Majestys Service, whether
with or without Warrants from the Lords of the Admiralty upon orders of
the [King] in Council, are very important. And as they
the [illegible] of Such a Pamphlet might suggest alterations
in the Statutes, and might possibly procure us for the future the Benefit of
juries in such Cases. And the World ought to know, at least the American part
of it, more than it does, of the true foundation of Impresses, if they have
any.
Page 19
1770
JANUARY 16.
At my Office all Day.
Last Evening at Dr. Peckers with the Clubb. -- Otis is in Confusion yet. He
looses himself. He rambles and wanders like a Ship
without an Helm. Attempted to tell a Story which took up almost all the
Evening. The Story may at any Time be told in 3 minutes with all the Graces it
is capable of, but he took an Hour. I fear he is not in his perfect Mind. The
Nervous, Concise, and pithy were his Character, till lately. Now the verbose,
roundabout and rambling, and long winded. He once said He hoped he should never
see T.H. in Heaven. Dan. Waldo took offence at it, and made a serious Affair of it, said
Otis very often bordered upon Prophaneness, if he was not
strictly profane. Otis said, if he did see H. there he hoped
it would be behind the Door. -- In my fathers House are many Mansions, some
more and some less honourable.
In one Word, Otis will spoil the Clubb. He talkes so much and takes up so much of our Time,
and fills it with Trash, Obsceneness, Profaneness, Nonsense and Distraction,
that We have no [time] left for rational Amusements or
Enquiries.
He mentioned his Wife -- said she was a good Wife, too good for him-but she
was a tory, an high Tory. She gave him such Curtain Lectures, &c.
In short, I never saw such an Object of Admiration, Reverence, Contempt and
Compassion all at once as this. I fear, I tremble, I mourn for the Man, and for
his Country. Many others mourne over him with Tears in their Eyes.
Page 20
[DRAFT OF A NEWSPAPER COMMUNICATION, JANUARY?
1770.]
"If I would go to Hell for an eternal Moment or so, I
might be knighted."
Governor Winthrop to the Inhabitants of
New England.
My dear Children
You may well imagine, that no change whatever no Lapse of Time,
nor any Change whatever can render me totally inattentive or indifferent to
your Interests. They are always near my Heart. I am as anxious as ever for your
Welfare and as studious to avert the most distant Calamity that threatens
orbefalls can befall you.
Your present Danger arises wholly from that general Cause of the Ruin of
Mankind I mean Ambition. [illegible] Your Agrarian Laws, and your
frame of Government, are much better callculated
than most others toprevent oppose, to disarm, and
[illegible] restrain this fell Distroyer.
But, as no Government can possibly be contrived or conceived that
shall wholly eradicate this Passion from human Nature, so yours is
very far from being the best that can be conceived
from [for] preventing its ill Effects.
Page 21
[No transcription available -- see page image]
Page 22, upside down
[No transcription available -- see page image]
Page 23
1770.
MONDAY FEBY. 26. OR [illegible]
THEREABOUTS.
Rode from
Weymouth. Stoppd at my House,
Veseys Blacksmith shop, my Brothers, my Mothers, and
Robinsons.
These 5 Stops took up the day. When I came into Town, I saw a vast
Collection of People, near Liberty Tree -- enquired and found the funeral of
the Child, lately
kill'd by Richardson was to be attended. Went into
Mr. Rowes, and warmed me, and then went out with him to the
Funeral, a vast Number of Boys walked before the Coffin, a vast Number of Women
and Men after it, and a Number of Carriages. My Eyes never beheld such a
funeral. The Procession extended further than can be well imagined.
This Shewes, there are many more Lives to spend if
wanted in the Service of their Country.
It Shews, too that the Faction
[illegible] is not yet expiring -- that the Ardor of the People
is not to be quelled by the Slaughter of one Child and the Wounding of
another.
At Clubb this Evening, Mr. Scott
and Mr. Cushing gave us a most alarming Account of
O [Otis]. He has been this afternoon raving
Madraving vs. Father, Wife, Brother, Sister, Friend
&c.
Page 24
IPSWICH JUNE 19. 1770. TUESDAY
MORNING.
Rambled with Kent, round Landlord
Treadwells Pastures, to see how our Horses fared. We found them in
[illegible] Grass, up to their Eyes. Excellent Pastures. This
Hill on which stand the Meeting House and Court House, is a fine Elevation and
We have here a fine Air, and the pleasant Prospect of the winding River, at the
foot of the Hill.
Page 25
JUNE 25.
1770.
BOSTON.
Blowers. In the Reign of Richard the 2d. or Henry 6th. you
may find Precedents for any Thing.
This Observation was echoed from some Tory, who applyed it to a late
Quotation of the House of Representatives. It is true, Richard
2d. and H. 6. were
weak and worthless Princes, and their Parliaments were bold and resolute, but
weak Princes may arise hereafter, and then there will be need of daring and
determined Parliaments. The Reigns of R. 2. and
H. 6 were the Reigns of Evil Councillors and
Favourites, and they exhibit notable Examples, of
the public Mischiefs, arising from such Administrations, and of national and
parliamentary Vengeance, on such wicked Minions.
JUNE
26.
Last of Service; very little Business this Court. The Bar and the Clerks
universally complain of the Scarcity of Business. So little was perhaps never
known, at July Term. The Cause must be the Non Importation agreement, and the
Declension of Trade. So that the Lawyers loose as much
by this Patriotic Measure as the Merchants, and Tradesmen.
Stephens the
Connecticutt Hemp Man was at my Office, with Mr.
Counsellor Powell and Mr. Kent.
Stephens says that the whole
Colony of Connecticutt has given more implicit Observance to a
Letter from the Select Men of
Boston than to their Bibles for some Years. And that in
Consequence of it, the Country is vastly happier, than it was, for every Family
has become a little manufactory House, and they raise and make within
themselves, many Things, for which they used to run in debt to the Merchants
and Traders. So that No Body is hurt but
Boston, and the Maritime Towns. -- I wish there was a Tax of 5s.
st. on every Button, from
England. It would be vastly for the good of this Country,
&c. As to all the Bustle and Bombast about Tea, it has been begun by about
1/2 doz.
Hollands Tea Smugglers, who could not find so much Profit in
their Trade, since the Nine Pence was taken off in
England. -- Thus He. Some Sense and some Nonsense!
Page 26
JUNE 27.
WEDNESDAY MORN.
Very fine -- likely to be hot -- at my Office early. The only Way to [illegible] compose myself and collect my Thoughts is to set down at
my Table, place my Diary before me, and take my Pen into my Hand. This
Apparatus takes off my Attention from other Objects. Pen, Ink and Paper and a
sitting Posture, are great Helps to Attention and thinking.
Took an Airing in the Chaise with my Brother Sam. Adams,
who returned and dined with me. He says he never looked forward in his Life,
never planned, laid a scheme, or formed a design of laying up
any Thing for himself or others after him. I told
him, I could not say that of myself, if that had been true of me, you would
never have seen my Face -- and I think this was true. I was necessitated to
ponder in my Youth, to consider of Ways and Means of raising a Subsistence,
food and Rayment, and Books and Money to pay for my Education to the Bar. So
that I must have sunk into total Contempt and Obscurity, if not perished for
Want, if I had not planned for futurity. And it is no Damage to a young Man to
learn the Art of living, early, if it is at the Expence of much musing and pondering and Anxiety.
JUNE 28.
THURSDAY.
Mr. Goldthwait. Do you call tomorrow and dine with Us at
flax Pond near
Salem. Rowe,
Davis, Brattle and half a dozen, as clever
fellows as ever were born, are to dine there under the shady Trees, by the
Pond, upon fish, and Bacon and Pees &c. and as to
the Madeira, nothing can come up to it. Do you call. We'll give a
genteell Dinner and fix you off on your journey.
Rumours of Ships and Troops, a Fleet and an Army,
10 Regiments and a No. of line of
Battle Ships, were talked of to day.
If an Armament should come, what will be done by the People? Will they
oppose them?
Page 27
"If, by supporting the Rights of Mankind,
and of invincible Truth, I shall contribute to save from the Agonies of Death
one unfortunate Victim of Tyranny, or of Ignorance, equally fatal; his Blessing
and Tears of Transport, will be a sufficient Consolation to me, for the
Contempt of all Mankind." Essay on Crimes and Punishments. Page 42.
I have [illegible] received such Blessings and enjoyed such
Tears of Transport - and there is no greater Pleasure, or Consolation!
Journeying to
Plymouth at a Tavern, I found a Man, who either knew me before,
or by enquiring of some Person then present,
discovered who I was. He went out and saddled my Horse and bridled him, and
held the Stirrup while I mounted. Mr.
Adams says he, as a Man of Liberty, I respect you. God bless you!
I'le stand by you, while I live, and from hence to
Cape Cod you wont find 10 Men amiss. -- A few Years ago, a
Person arrained for a Rape at
Worcester, named me to the Court for his Council. I was
appointed, and the Man was acquitted, but remanded in order to be
tryed on another Indictment for an assault with
Intention to ravish. When he had returned to Prison, he broke out of his own
Accord -- God bless Mr. Adams. God bless his Soul I am not to
be hanged, and I dont care what else they do to me. -- Here was his Blessing
and his Transport which gave me more Pleasure, when I first heard the Relation
and when I have recollected it since, than any fee would have done. This was a
worthless fellow, but nihil humanum, alienum. His joy, which I had in some
Sense been instrumental in procuring, and his Blessings and good Wishes,
occasioned very agreable Emotions in
[illegible] the Heart.
This afternoon Mr. Wm. Frobisher gave me a Narration of his
Services to the Province, in introducing the Manufacture of Pot ashes and Pearl
ashes,
and of his
unsuccessfull
Petitions
Page 28
to the General Court for a Compensation. He says he has
suffered in his fortune, by his
Labours and
Expences, and has been instrumental of introducing
and establishing the Manufacture And can obtain nothing. That £25,000 st. worth
of
[illegible] Potashes have been exported from this Town, yearly
for 5 Years past, and more than that Quantity for the last two Years as appears
by the Custom House Books, and Mr. Sheaff the Collector was
his Informer. That He has invented a Method of making Potashes, in much greater
Quantity, and better Quality, than heretofore has been done, from the same
materials, without any Augmentation of
Expence. That
he went to
Hingham and worked with Mr. Lincoln a month,
and has a Certificate from him,
[illegible] to the foregoing
Purpose. That his new Method
seperates from the
Potash, a neutral Salt that is very pure and of valuable Use in medicine,
&c. and that if his Method was adopted, no Russian Potash would sell at any
Markett where American, was to be had. -- Thus
Projectors, ever restless.
JUNE 29.
1770. FRYDAY.
Sat out on Began my journey to
Falmouth in
Casco Bay. Baited my Horse at Martins in
Lynn, where I saw T. Fletcher and his Wife,
Mr. French &c. Dined at Goodhues in
Salem, where I fell in Company with a Stranger, his Name I know
not. He made a Genteell Appearance, was in a Chair
himself with a Negro Servant. Seemed to have a general Knowledge of American
Affairs, said he had been a Merchant in
London, had been at
Maryland,
Phyladelphia,
New York &c. One Year more he said would make Americans as
quiet as Lambs. They could not do without
Great Britain, they could not conquer their Luxury &c.
Page 29
Oated my Horse and drank baume Tea at Treadwells in
Ipswich, where I found Brother Porter and
chatted with him 1/2 Hour, then rode to
Rowley and lodged at Captn.
Jewitts. -- Jewitt had rather the House should sit
all the Year round, than give up an Atom of Right or Priviledge. -- The Governor cant frighten the People,
with &c.
JUNE
30TH. 1770. SATURDAY.
Arose not very early and drank a Pint of new Milk and set off. Oated my
Horse at
Newbury. Rode to Clarks at Greenland Meeting
house, where I gave him Hay and Oats, and then set off for
Newington. Turned in at a Gate by Colonel
March's, and passed thro two Gates more
before I came into the Road that carried me to my
Uncles. I found the old Gentleman in his 82d. Year, as hearty and
alert as ever, his Son and daughter, well -- their Children grown up, and
every Thing strange to me. I find I had forgot
the Place. It is 17 Years I presume since I was there. My Reception was
friendly, cordial, and hospitable, as I could wish. Took a chearfull, agreable Dinner,
and then Sat off for
York, over
Bloody Point Ferry, a Way I never went before, and arrived at
Woodbridges 1/2 Hour after Sunset.
I have had a very unsentimental Journey, excepting this day at Dinner Time.
Have been unfortunate eno, to ride alone all the Way,
and have met with very few Characters or Adventures.
Soon after I alighted at Woodbridges in
York, Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Sewall
and Mr. Farnum, returned from an Excursion they had made to
Agamentacus, on a Party of Pleasure. It is the highest Mountain
in this Part of the World, seen first by Sailors coming in from sea. It is in
the
Town of York, about
Page 30
7 miles from the Court House.
The Talk much, this Evening, of erecting
[a] Beacon upon
it.
I forgot Yesterday to mention, that I stopped and enquired the Name of a
Pond, in
Wenham, which I found was
Wenham Pond, and also the Name of a remarkable little Hill at
the mouth of the Pond, which resembles a high Loaf of our Country brown Bread,
and found that it is called
Peters's Hill to this day, from the famous Hugh
Peters, who about the Year 1640 or before, preached from the Top of
that Hillock, to the People who congregated round the Sides of it, without any
Shelter for the Hearers, before any Buildings were erected, for public
Worship.
By accidentally taking this new rout, I have avoided
Portsmouth and my old Friend the
Governor of it. But I must make my Compliments to him, as I return.
It is a Duty. He is my Friend And I am his. I should have seen enough of the
Pomps and Vanities and Ceremonies of that little World,
Portsmouth If I had gone there, but Formalities and Ceremonies
are an abomination in my sight. I hate them, in Religion, Government, Science,
Life.
JULY
1ST. 1770. SUNDAY.
Arose early at Paul Dudley Woodbridge's. A cloudy morning.
Took a Walk to the Pasture, to see how my Horse fared. Saw my old Friend and
Classmate David Sewall walking in his Garden. My little mare
had provided for herself by leaping out of a bare Pasture into a
neighbouring Lott of
mowing Ground, and had filled herself, with Grass and Water. These are
important Materials for History no doubt. My Biographer will scarcely introduce
my little Mare, and her Adventures in quest of Feed and Water.
The Children of the House have got a young Crow, a Sight I never saw before.
The Head and Bill are monstrous, the leggs and
Clawes are long and sprawling. But the young
Crow and the little mare are objects, that will not interest Posterity.
Page 31
Landlord says David Sewall is not of the Liberty Side. The
Moultons, Lymans, and
Sewalls, and Sayward,
are all [illegible] of the Prerogative Side. -- They are afraid
of their Commissions -- and rather than hazard them, they would ruin the
Country. We had a fair Tryal of them when we met to
return Thanks to the 92 Antirescinders. None of them voted for it,
tho none of them, but Sayward and his Bookkeeper had Courage enough
to hold up his Hand, when the Vote was put the Contrary Way.
This same Landlord I find is a high Son. He has upon his Sign
Board,Entertainment for the Sons of Liberty, under the Portrait
of Mr. Pitt. -- Thus the Spirit of Liberty circulates
thro every minute Artery of the Province.
Heard Mr. Lyman all day. They have 4. deacons and Three
Elders in this Church. Bradbury is an
Elder, and Sayward is a Deacon.
Lyman preached from
"which Things the Angells desire to look
into."
Drank Coffee at home, with Mr. Farnum, who came in to see
me, and then went to D. Sewalls where I spent an Hour, with
Farnum, Winthrop and Sewall
and when I came away took a View of the Comet, which was then near the North
Star -- a large, bright Nucleus, in the Center of a nebulous Circle.
Came home, and took a Pipe after Supper with Landlord who is a staunch,
zealous Son of Liberty. He speaks doubtfully of the new Councillor
Gowing [Gowen] of
Kittery. Says he always runs away till he sees how a Thing will
go. Says he will lean to the other Side. Says, that He, (the Landlord) loves
Peace, And should be very glad to have the Matter settled upon friendly Terms,
without Bloodshed, but he would venture his own Life, and spend all he had in
the World before he would give up.
Page 32
He gives a sad Account of the Opposition and Persecution he has suffered
from the Tories, for his Zeal and Firmness against their Schemes. Says they,
i.e. the Moultons, Sewalls and
Lymans, contrived every Way to thwart, vex, and distress him,
and have got 1000 st [sterling] from him at least, but he
says that Providence has seemed to frown upon them, one running distracted and
another &c., and has favoured him in Ways that
he did not foresee.
JULY 2.
1770.
Monday morning, in my Sulky before 5 o clock, Mr. Winthrop,
Farnum and D. Sewall, with me on
Horse back. Rode thro
the Woods the Tide being too high to go over the Beach and to cross
Cape Nittick [Neddick] River. Came to
Littlefields in
Wells 1/4 before 8 o clock. Stopped there and breakfasted.
Afterwards Sewall and I stopped at the Door of our Classmate
Hemenway, whom we found well, and very friendly, complaisant
and hospitable, invited us to alight, to stop on our Return, and take a bed
with him, and he enquired of me, where I lived in
Boston. Said he would make it his Business to come and see me
&c. Rode to Pattens of
Arundel, and Mr. Winthrop and I turned our
Horses into a little Close to roll and cool themselves and feed upon white
honey suckle. Farnum and
Sewal are gone forward to James
Sullivans to get Dinner ready.
Stopped at James Sullivans at
Biddeford, and drank Punch, dined at Allens a
Tavern at the Bridge. After Dinner Farnham,
Winthrop, Sewall,
Sullivan and I walked 1/4 of a mile down
the River to see one
Poke, a Woman, at least 110 Years of age, some say 115.
When we came to the House, nobody was at home but the old Woman and she lay in
Bed asleep under the Window. We looked in at the Window, and saw an Object of
Horror.withStrong Muscles, withered and wrinkled to a Degree, that I
never saw before.
Page 33
After some Time her daughter came from a Neighbours House and we went in. The old Woman roused
herself and looked round, very composedly upon Us, without saying a Word. The
Daughter told her, "here is a Number of Gentlemen come to see you." Gentlemen,
says the old antedeluvian, I am glad to see them. I want them to pray for me --
my Prayers I fear are not answered. I used to think my Prayers were answered,
but of late I think they are not I have been praying so long for deliverance.
Oh living God, come in Mercy! Lord Jesus come in Mercy! Sweet Christ come in
Mercy. I used to have comfort in God and set a good Example, but I fear --
&c.
Her Mouth were full of large rugged Teeth, and her daughter says, since she
was l00 Years old she had two new double Teeth come out. Her Hair is white as
Snow, but there is a large Quantity of it on her Head. Her Arms are nothing but
Bones covered over with a withered, wrinkled, Skin and Nerves. In short any
Person will be convinced from the sight of her that she is as old as they say
at least. She told us she was born in
Ireland, within a Mile of
Derry, came here in the Reign of K.
William, she remembers the Reign of King Charles
2d., James 2d., Wm. and
Mary. She remembers King James's
Warrs, &c. But has got quite lost about her Age.
Her daughter asked her how old she was. She said upwards of Three score, but
she could not tell.
Got into my Chair after my Return from the old Woman, rode with
Elder Bradbury thro Sir
William Pepperells Woods, stopped and oated at
Millikins, and rode into
Falmouth, and putt up at Mr.
Jonathan Webbs -- Where I found my Classmate Charles
Cushing, Mr. George Lyde, the Collector here, one
Mr. Johnson and one Mr. Crocker.
Page 34
JULY 3.
1770. TUESDAY.
Rose in comfortable Health.
JULY 8.
1770 SUNDAY.
This Week has been taken up in the Hurry of the Court, and I have not been
able to snatch a Moment to put down any Thing. The
softly People where I lodge, Don Webb and his Wife, are the
Opposites of every Thing great, spirited and
enterprizing. His father was a dissenting
Parson, and a Relation of mine, a zealous Puritan, and famous Preacher. This
son however without the least Regard to his Education, his Connections,
Relations, Reputation, or Examination into the controversy turns about and goes
to Church, merely because an handfull of young foolish fellows here, took it
into their Heads to go. Don never was, or aimed to be any
Thing at Colledge but a silent Hearer of a few
Rakes, and he continues to this day the same Man, rather the same softly living
Thing that creepeth upon the face of the Earth. He attempted Trade but failed
in that -- now keeps School and takes Boarders, and his Wife longs to be
genteel, to go to Dances, Assemblies, Dinners, suppers &c. -- but cannot
make it out for Want thereof. Such Imbicility of Genius, such Poverty of
Spirit, such Impotence of Nerve, is often accompanied with a
fribbling Affectation of Politeness, which is to me completely
ridiculous -- green Tea, if We could but get it -- Madeira Wine, if I could but
get it -- Collectors genteel Company, Dances, late suppers and
Clubbs, &c. &c.
Page 35
FRYDAY
THURSDAY AFTERNOON [12 JULY.]
3 O Clock, got into my Desobligeant to go home. 2 or 3 miles out of Town I
overtook 2 Men on horseback. They rode sometimes before me, then would fall
behind, and seemed a little unsteady. At last one of 'em came up. What is your Name? Why of what Consequence is it
what my Name is? Why says he only as we are travelling the Road together, I
wanted to know where you came from, and what your Name was. I told him my Name.
-- Where did you come from?
Boston. Where have you been? To
Falmouth. Upon a Frolick I suppose? No
upon Business. What Business pray? Business at Court.
Thus far I humoured his Impertinence. Well now says he do you want to know
my Name? Yes. My Name is Robert Jordan, I belong to C
ape Elizabeth, and am now going round there. My forefathers came
over here and settled a great many Years ago. -- After a good deal more of this
harmless Impertinence, he turned off, and left me. -- I baited at
Millikins and rode thro Saco
Woods, and then rode from
Saco Bridge,thro the Woods to
Pattens after Night-many sharp, steep Hills, many Rocks, many
deep Rutts, and not a Footstep of Man, except in the
Road. It was vastly disagreable. Lodged at
Pattens.
FRYDAY JULY
13. 1770.
Arose and walked with Patten to see the
neighbouring Fields of English Grass and Grain
and Indian Corn, consuming before the Worms.
Page 36
A long black Worm
crawls up the Stalk of Rye or Grass and feeds upon the leaves. The Indian Corn
looked stripped to a
Skelleton, and that was black
with the Worms. I found that they prevail very much in
Arundell and
Wells and so all along to
Portsmouth and to
Hampton.
Stopped two Hours at Mr. Hemenways, and then rode
thro the Woods, in excessive Heat to
York, dined at Woodbridges, who was much elated
with his new Licence, and after Dinner was treating
his friends, some of them. Spent an Hour at Mr. Sewalls with
Elder Bradbury and then went to
Portsmouth, crossed the Ferry after 9 O Clock and
putt up at Tiltons the Sign of the
Marquis of Rockingham -- a very good House. I will call no more at
Stavers's. I found very good Entertainment, and excellent
Attendance -- a very convenient House, a spacious Yard, good stables, and an
excellent Garden, full of Carrotts, Beets, Cabbages,
Onions,Colliflowers, &c. This
Tiltons is just behind the State House.
SATURDAY
JULY 14 1770.
Arose at 4.. Got ready as soon as I could and rode out of Town a few Miles
to Breakfast. Breakfasted at Lovatts in
Hampton, 10 miles from
Portsmouth and 12 from
Newbury. Threatened with a very hot day. I hope I shall not be
so overcome with Heat and Fatigue as I was Yesterday.
I fully intended to have made a long Visit to Governor
Wentworth, upon this Occasion. But he was unluckily gone to
Wolfborough, so that this Opportunity is lost.
Page 37
1770.
AUGUST. 9TH. THURSDAY.
Madam
With great pleasure I received an invitation from my friend Mr.
Gill that you had inquired of Sophronia for the
author of a Speculation in a newspaper that Some one has been pleased to call a
dissertation on that [illegible] feudal law.
you must [illegible]
I received from Mr. Gill an Intimation, that a Letter from
me would not be disagreable to you,
[illegible] and have been emboldened, by that Means, to run the
Venture of giving you this Trouble. [illegible] I have read with
much Admiration, [illegible] Mrs.
Maccaulays yourHistory of England &c. [illegible] . It is formed upon the Plan, which I have ever wished to
see adopted by Historians. It is calculated to strip off the Gilding and false
Lustre from worthless Princes and Nobles, and to
bestow the Reward of Virtue, Praise upon the generous and worthy only.
Page 38
The Charms Eloquence of us No Charms of Eloquence, can atone for
the Want of this exact Historical Morality. And I must be allowed to say, I
have never seen an History in which it is more religiously regarded.
It was from this History, that I had [illegible] as
well as from the concurrent Testimony, of all who have come to this Country
from
England, that I had formed the highest Opinion of the Author as
one of the brightest ornaments not only of her Sex but of her Age and Country.
I could not therefore, but esteem the Information given me by Mr.
Gill, as one of the most agreable and
fortunate [illegible] Occurences of my Life.
Indeed it was rather a Mortification to me to find that a few fugitive
Speculations in a News Paper, had excited your Curiosity to enquire after me. The Production, which some Person in
England, I know not who, has been pleased to
intitle a Dissertation on the cannon and the Feudal
Law, was written, at
Braintree about Eleven Miles from
Boston in the Year 1765, written at Random weekly
without any preconceived Plan, printed in the Newspapers, without Correction,
and so little noticed or regarded here that the Author never thought it worth
his while to give it Either a Title or a signature. And indeed
the Editor in
London, might with more Propriety have called it The
What d ye call it, or as the Critical Reviewers did a
flimsy lively Rhapsody than [illegible] by the Title he has given
it.
But it seems it happened to hit the Taste of some one who has
given
[it] a longer Duration, than a few
Page 39
Weeks,
by printing it in Conjunction with the Letters of the House of Representatives
of this Province and by ascribing it to a very venerable, learned Name. I am
sorry that Mr. Gridleys Name was affixed to it for many
Reasons. The Mistakes, Inaccuracies and Want of Arrangement in it, are utterly
unworthy of Mr. Gridlys great and deserved Character
[illegible] for Learning
and [illegible]
and the general
SentimentSpirit and Sentiments of it, are by no
Means reconcilable to his known Opinions and Principles in
Politicks.
It was indeed written by your Co
It was indeed written by your present Correspondent, who then had formed
Designs, which he never has and never will attempt to execute. Oppressed and
borne down as he is by the Infirmities of ill Health, [illegible] and the Calls of a numerous growing Family, whose only
Hopes are in his continual Application to the Drudgeries of his Profession, it
isalmost impossible for him to pursue intellectual
objectany Enquiries or to enjoy any Pleasures of the literary
Kind.
However, He has been informed that you have in Contemplation an History of
the present Reign, or some other History in which the Affairs of
America are to have a Share. If this is true it would give him
infinite Pleasure -- and whether it is or not, if he can by any Means in his
Power, by Letters or otherways, contribute
any
Thing to your
Page 40
Assistance in any of your Enquiries, or
[illegible] to your Amusement
and the satisfaction of your
curiosity he will always esteem himself very happy in attempting it.
Pray excuse this the Trouble of this Letter, and believe me, with
great Esteem and Admiration, your most obedient and very huml. servant.
1770.
AUGUST 19. SUNDAY.
Last Fryday went to the Light House with the
Committee of both Houses.
Mr. Royal Tyler began to pick chat with me.
Mr. Adams, have you ever read
Dr. Souths sermon upon the Wisdom of this World?
No.I'le lend it to you. -- I
should be much obliged. -- Have you read the Fable of the Bees. Yes, and the
Marquis of Hallifax's Character of a Trimmer and
Hurds Dialogue upon Sincerity in the Commerce of Life -- and
Machiavell and Caesar Borgia. Hard if these
are not enough.
Tyler. The Author of the Fable of the Bees understood Human
Nature and Mankind, better than any Man that ever lived. I can follow him as he
goes along. Every Man in public Life ought to read that Book, to make him
jealous and suspicious -- &c.
Yesterday He sent the Book, and excellent Sermons they are. Concise and
nervous and clear. Strong Ebullitions of the loyal Fanaticism of the Times he
lived in, at and after
Page 41
the Restoration, but notwithstanding those
Things there is a Degree of Sense and Spirit and Taste in them which will ever
render them valuable.
The sermon which Mr. Tyler recommended to my Perusal, is a
sermon preached at
Westminster Abbey Ap. 30. 1676. from 1. Cor. 3.19. For the
Wisdom of this World, is Foolishness with God. -- The Dr. undertakes to
shew what are those Rules or Principles of Action, upon
which the Policy, or Wisdom, in the Text proceeds, and he mentions 4. Rules or
Principles. 1. A Man must maintain a constant continued Course of
Dissimulation, in the whole Tenor of his Behaviour.
2. That Conscience and Religion ought to lay no Restraint upon Men at all, when
it lies opposite to the Prosecution of their Interest -- or in the Words of
Machiavel,
"that the Shew of Religion was
helpful to the Politician, but the Reality of it, hurtful and pernicious."
3. That a Man ought to make himself, and not the Public, the chief if not the
sole End of all his Actions. 4. That in shewing
Kindness, or doing favours, no Respect at all is to
be had to Friendship, Gratitude, or Sense of Honour;
but that such favours are to be done only to the rich
or potent, from whom a Man may receive a farther Advantage, or to his Enemies
from whom he may otherwise fear a Mischief..
Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Adams and myself
endeavoured to recollect the old Distich -- Gutta cavat lapidem non vi, sed
sepe cadendo. So far we got, but neither of these Gentlemen had ever heard the
other Part, I, who had some Years ago been very familiar with it, could not
recollect it -- but it is
Sic, Homo fit doctus, non vi, sed sepe legendo.
Mr. Mason led us a jaunt over sharp Rocks to the Point of
the Island opposite to
Nantasket, where in an hideous Cavern formed by a great
Prominent Rock he
shewed Us the Animal Plant or
flower,
Page 42
a small, spungy muscular
Substance, growing fast to the Rock, in figure and feeling resembling a young
Girls Breast, shooting out at the Top of it, a
flower,
which shrinks in and disappears, upon touching the Substance.
1770
AUG. 20. MONDAY.
The first Maxim of worldly Wisdom, constant Dissimulation, may be good or
evil as it is interpreted. If it means only a constant Concealment from
others of such of our Sentiments, Actions, Desires, and Resolutions, as
others have not a Right to know, it is not only lawful but commendable --
because when these are once divulged, our Enemies may avail themselves of the
Knowledge of them, to our Confusion Damage, Danger and Confusion. So
that some Things ought which ought to be communicated to some
of our Friends, that they may improve them to our Profit or
Honour or Pleasure, should be concealed from our
Enemies, and from indiscreet friends, least they should be turned to our Loss,
Disgrace or Mortification. I am under no oblig moral or other
Obligation to publish to the World, how much my Expences [illegible] or my Incomes amount to
yearly. There are Times when and Persons to whom, I am not obliged to tell what
are my Principles and Opinions in Politicks or
Religion.
There are Persons whom in my Heart I
despize;
others I abhor. Yet I am not obliged to inform the one of my Contempt, nor the
other of my Detestation.
Page 43
This Kind of Dissimulation, which is no
more than Concealment, Secrecy, and Reserve, or in other Words, Prudence and
Discretion, is a necessary Branch of Wisdom, and so far from being immoral and
unlawfull, that
[it] is a Duty and a Virtue.
Yet even this must be understood with certain Limitations, for there are
Times, when the Cause of Religion, of Government, of Liberty, the Interest of
the present Age and of Posterity, render it a necessary Duty for a Man to make
known his Sentiments and Intentions boldly and publickly. So that it is difficult to establish any
certain Rule, to determine what Things a Man may and what he may not lawfully
conceal, and when. But it is no doubt clear, that there are many Things which
may lawfully be concealed from many Persons at certain Times; and on the other
Hand there are Things, which at certain Times it becomes mean and selfish,
base, and wicked to conceal from some Persons.
Page 44
1770.
AUGUST 22. WEDNESDAY.
Rode to
Cambridge in Company with Coll. Severn Ayers [Eyre] and
Mr. Hewitt from
Virginia, Mr. Bull and Mr.
Trapier from
South Carolina, Messrs.
Cushing, Hancock, Adams, Thom.
Brattle, Dr. Cooper and Wm. Cooper.
Mr. Professor Winthrop shewed Us the
Colledge, the Hall, Chappell, Phylosophy Room,
Apparatus, Library and Musaeum. We all dined at
Stedmans, and had a very agreable
Day. The
Virginia Gentlemen are very full, and zealous in the Cause of
American Liberty.Coll. Ayers is an
intimate Friend of Mr. Patrick Henry, the first Mover of the
Virginia Resolves in 1765, and is himself a Gentleman of great
fortune, and of great Figure and Influence in the House of Burgesses. Both He
and Mr. Hewit were bred at the
Virginia Colledge, and appear to be
Men of Genius and Learning. Ayers informed me that in the
Reign of Charles 2d. an Act
was sent over, from
England, with an Instruction to the Governor, and he procured
the Assembly to pass it granting a Duty of 2s. an Hogshead upon all Tobacco
exported from the Colony, to his Majesty forever. This Duty amounts now to a
Revenue of £5000 sterling a Year, which is given part to the Governor, part to
the judges &c. to the Amount of about £4000, and what becomes of the other
1000 is unknown. The Consequence of this is that the Governor calls an Assembly
when he pleases, and that is only once in two Years.
Page 45
These Gentlemen are all Valetudinarians and are taking the Northern Tour for
their Health.
Page 46
[DRAFT OF A NEWSPAPER COMMUNICATION, AUGUST?
1770.]
"If I would but go to Hell for an eternal Moment or so,
I might be knighted." Shakespeare.
The Good of the governed is the End, and Rewards and Punishments are the
Means of all Government. The Government of the
Supream and alperfect Mind, over all his intellectual
Creation, is by proportioning Rewards to Piety and Virtue, and Punishments to
Disobedience and Vice. Virtue, by the Constitution of Nature carries in general
its own Reward, and Vice its own Punishment, even in this World. But as many
Exceptions to this Rule, take Place upon Earth, the Joys of Heaven are
prepared, and the Horrors of Hell in a future State to render the moral
Government of the Universe, perfect and
compleat.
Human Government is more or less perfect, as it approaches nearer or diverges
farther from an Imitation of this perfect Plan of divine and moral Government.
In Times of Simplicity and Innocence, Ability and Integrity will be the
principal
[illegible] Recommendations to the public Service, and
the sole Title to those
Honours and Emoluments, which
are in the Power of the Public to bestow. But when Elegance, Luxury and
Effeminacy begin to be established, these Rewards will begin to be distributed
to Vanity and folly. But when a Government becomes totally corrupted, the
system of God Almighty in the Government of the World and the Rules
Page 47
of all good Government upon Earth will be reversed, and Virtue,
Integrity and Ability will become the Objects of the Malice, Hatred and Revenge
of the Men in Power, and folly, Vice, and
Villany
will be cherished and supported. In such Times you will see a Governor of a
Province, for unwearied Industry in his Endeavours to ruin and destroy the
People, whose Welfare he was under every moral obligation to study and promote,
knighted and enobled. You will see a Philanthrop, for propagating as many Lies
and Slanders against his Country as ever fell from the Pen of a sychophant,
rewarded with the Places of Solicitor General, Attorney general, Advocate
General, and Judge of Admiralty, with Six Thousands a Year. You will see 17
Rescinders, Wretches, without Sense or Sentiment, rewarded with Commissions to
be justices of Peace, Justices of
Peace the Common Pleas and
presently justices of the Kings Bench.
The Consequence of this will be that the Iron Rod of Power will be stretched
out vs. the poor People in every
[sentence unfinished]
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