[dateline] Braintree August 19 1774
The great distance between us, makes the time appear very long to me. It seems already
a month since you left me. The great anxiety I feel for my Country, for you and for
our family renders the day tedious, and the night unpleasent. The Rocks and quick
Sands appear upon every Side. What course you can or will take is all wrapt in the
Bosom of futurity. Uncertainty and expectation leave the mind great Scope. Did ever
any Kingdom or State regain their Liberty, when once it was invaded without Blood
shed? I cannot think of it without horror.
Yet we are told that all the Misfortunes of Sparta were occasiond by their too great
Sollicitude for present tranquility, and by an excessive love of peace they neglected
the means of making it sure and lasting. They ought to have reflected says Polibius
that as there is nothing more desirable, or advantages than peace, when founded in
justice and honour, so there is nothing more shameful and at the same time more pernicious
when attained by bad measures, and purchased at the price of liberty.
I have received a most charming Letter from our Friend Mrs. W
[arre]n.
1 She desires me to tell you that her best wishes attend you thro your journey both
as a Friend and patriot—hopes you will have no uncommon difficulties to surmount or
Hostile Movements to impeade you—but if the Locrians should interrupt you, she hop
[e]s you will beware that no future Annals may say you chose an ambitious Philip for
your Leader, who subverted the noble order of the American Amphyctions, and built
up a Monarchy on the Ruins of the happy institution.
I have taken a very great fondness for reading Rollin's ancient History since you
left me. I am determined to go thro with it if posible in
{ 143 } these my days of solitude. I find great pleasure and entertainment from it, and I
have perswaided Johnny to read me a page or two every day, and hope he will from his
desire to oblige me entertain a fondness for it.
2—We have had a charming rain which lasted 12 hours and has greatly revived the dying
fruits of the earth.
I want much to hear from you. I long impatiently to have you upon the Stage of action.
The first of September or the month of September, perhaps may be of as much importance
to Great Britan as the Ides of March were to Ceaser. I wish you every Publick as well,
as private blessing, and that wisdom which is profitable both for instruction and
edification to conduct you in this difficult day.—The little flock remember Pappa,
and kindly wish to see him. So does your most affectionate