[dateline] Baltimore Feb. 17. 1777
It was this Day determined, to adjourn, tomorrow Week to Philadelphia.
1
How, as you know my opinion always was, will repent his mad march through the Jersies.
The People of that Commonwealth, begin to raise their Spirits exceedingly, and to
be firmer than ever. They are actuated by Resentment now, and Resentment coinciding
with Principle is a very powerfull Motive.
I have got into the old Routine of War Office and Congress, which takes up my Time
in such a manner that I can scarce write a Line. I have not Time to think, nor to
speak.
There is an united States Lottery abroad.
2 I believe you had better buy a Tickett and make a Present of it to our four sweet
ones, not for•
{ 163 } getting the other sweet one. Let us try their Luck. I hope they will be more lucky
than their Papa has ever been, or ever will be.
I am as well as can be expected. How it happens I dont know nor how long it will last.
My Disposition was naturally gay and chearfull, but the <awful> Prospects I have ever had before me, and these cruel Times will make me melancholly.
I who would not hurt the Hair of the Head of any Animal, I who am always made miserable
by the Misery of every sensible being, that comes to my Knowledge, am obliged to hear
continual Accounts of the Barbarities, the cruel Murders in cold Blood, even by the
most tormenting Ways of starving and freezing, committed by our Enemies, and continual
Accounts of the Deaths and Diseases contracted by our People by their own Imprudence.
These Accounts harrow me beyond Description.
3
These incarnate Daemons say in great Composure,
[“that]4 Humanity is a Yankey Virtue.—But that they
[are] governed by Policy.”—Is there any Policy on this side of Hell, that is inconsistent
with Humanity? I have no Idea of it. I know of no Policy, God is my Witness but this—Piety,
Humanity and Honesty are the best Policy.
Blasphemy, Cruelty, and Villany have prevailed and may again. But they wont prevail
against America, in this Contest, because I find the more of them are employed the
less they succeed.