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My Dearest Friend
From the posthumous play of Shakespear which our son mentions under the
title of Vortigem and Rowena, I have been let
to serch the English History for an account of them;
I find the most particular and accurate in Mapins History, in the early period
of the British history when they were over run by the picts Scots and having
applied to the Romans for assistance, and receiving from, who was then
prepareing to repulse Attila, an
answer, that the affairs of the Empire would not suffer him to assist them,
they agreed to chuse a Monarch as the only expedient
to save them from Destruction. In 445 Vortigem is Elected,
count or King of the Dunrovig This prince as he was the most
powerfull and Ambitious, could never brook a
Superiour, and therefore was a
profess'd Enemy to the preceeding Monarchs, for
previous to this period, several great Men had fortified themselves in various
parts of the Country, and acted like Sovereigns. Vortigem is
represented of an avaritious temper, not beloved
by his subjects, Feeling his own weakness he proposes to call the Saxons to the
aid of the Britains. His proposal was agreed to by the Britains, but when they
came to consider the terms to be offerd to the
Saxons, great debates arose. Vortigem proposed the allotting
them some province, that their own interest might induce them to wage War more
heartily and vigorously. Tho no easy matter to agree
on this point, it was finally resolved, that the Saxons should have the
ile of Thanet in
Trent, and that the Saxon Soldiers should be allowd pay which should be setled by agreement on both sides, but
Vortigems policy proved fatal to the Country, and might with
other instances of a similar nature have taught Nations in modern
times the fatal effects of foreign Nations gaining an assendency in politicks and
Government of
We now behold the Saxons landing in
Britain with Hengist, who is described as a
young Warrior endowd with all the necessary
qualifications for accomplishing so arduous an undertaking,
possesst of valour and
experience, a solid judgment, an easy address and engageing Behaviour. The
first Battle fought proving successfull
Vortigem in gratitude presented Hengist with
some Lands near [illegible] who under pretence of a
place to secure his Booty taken in War, obtaind
leave to build Thong castle. Hengist soon feels a desire to
setle in
Britain and instills the same, into the Saxons, being tempted by
the first fullness of the Country and the Effeminacy of the inhabitants.
Witigisil the Father of Hengist, sends him
supplies and equiping a number of vessels, send in
them Eseus and Rowena, Eldest son and Neice
of Hengist, who having studied the Character of
Vortigem and perceiving Love and pleasure to be his
predominant passions, lays a Snare for to entrap him. and
Hengist having expresst on many occasions much gratitude for
favours received made a splendid entertainment to
which he invited the King, and so contrived it, that Rowena
should be present, and serve the King at table with a Gold cup
filld with Wine. Vortegem was
captivated and tho married, he demands
Rowena in Marriage, in order to accomplish this, he divorced
his wife by whom he had several Children, promises to Rowena
the free exercise of her Religion, and gives to Hengist and
Horsa the Sovereignty of
Kent. The Britains murmer against the Kings Marriage, which
finally proved his overthrow and great distress to them.
Shapespear has ample Scope for his
imagination, and if the play is Genuine much pleasure and entertainment may be
expected from the discovery to all
Since I took my pen, I have received a letter from our Son in London dated Janry. 6. I know what he has felt, by my own experience, and so do you by a thousand instances. I will inclose his Letter which will give you more information than any extracts I can make from it. [illegible] Conscious rectitude can alone bear a Man through the insolence of office, the pride of State, and contumely of National arrogance, are very hard to suffer. When a Man feels that he is equal, often Superiour to those very persons who assume to themselves merrit by what they deem condesention. I received yours of 1 [John to Abigail, 01 April 1796] and 7th. April [John to Abigail, 07 April 1796] with the inclosures. I shall notice them by the next post. In the mean time
[Endorsement -- see page image]
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