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[The end of the previous letter is not transcribed here.]

To the same [To Hannah Winthrop]

Plymouth January 30th 1774

Not any abatement of affection for my worthy friend has
occasioned a silence longer than usual. After a long and painful applica-
-tion to public business the partner both of the cares and the joys of my life ap-
-pears to be in such declining health as to alarm my fears beyond expression.
To you who have often apprehended the dissolution of the tender tie, the
dearest union instituted by heaven for the happiness of its creatures, I can
speak my concern. After all the kind provision made for passing our days
in tranquillity, so trancient is the nature of human felicity that we ought in
the happiest moments to observe,

Amidst innumerable blessings
the beneficent hand of providence has bestowed;- that of health to my family
has been continued in an uncommon degree till lately. I have experienced
many vicissitudes in life, yet death has never entered my habitation for more
than twenty years that I have been a house-keeper till within a few days,
when I lost a faithful and affectionate servant that has been with
me the most of that time.

Unimportant as one in that station appears
yet when they have acquitted themselves faithfully and fulfilled the duties
of life, the distinctions made between the master and the servant, the prince
and the peasant may be in favour of the latter. When these partition walls
are broken down and the clogs of sence removed they may probably look down

with the ineffable contempt on Kings and Emperors as well as on the inferior votaries
of ambition who daily prostitute conscience and all the sacred ties of hu-
-manity, for the pageantry of a day. The style of this may wear a graver cast
than would be pleasing to every lady, but the scene I have lately witnessed
naturally called up these reflections, and friendship always allows a recipro-
-cal, communication and demands a sympathetic tear under every adverse
circumstance; --yet, I hope my letters will never wear so gloomy a cast as
to damp the amiable cheerfulness of my friend. Hers we expect will be fraught
with more brilliant periods, fixed near the seat of science, of politicks,
and polite intelligence, daily convening with the gay and the great; while
my present retirement furnishes few comparisons whose hearts are replete
with dignified or elegant sentiments, or whose manners exhibit the
external graces of delicacy or politeness.

Yet I hope the barrenness of the soil
will not prevent your intended tour to this first residence of our heroic
and pious ancestors;- for you may be assured of as cordial a reception as was
ever given, either in the ancient days of simplicity and hospitality or in
the modern schools of civilization and refinement. Let not my pro-
-posed visit retard yours; I shall make no journey till the rough blasts
of Boreas subside and grey Winter gives place to the bloom of Spring. Thus
the expectation of future pleasure from that delightful converse that
adds wings to the flying hours, and brightens the capacity of the mind, is
a recent proof that hope is not only the companion of spring but that
she aids even the autumn of life with her gentle aspect.

Though the
feeble texture of a very delicate frame gives hourly admonitions of mor-
-tality, yet, I shall look forward to the period when I may expect to meet those
friends who are placed at such a distance as to prevent the frequent social
intercourse that may lead the mind from temporary enjoyments, and lift it
to those objects that yield permanent and unmixed delight.

If we may
set our affections on anything below the stars, we shall surely find indulgence
for our fond attachments to friends, whose rational and reciprocal affection,
we have no reason to think will terminate with time.

I hope my excellent
friend Doctor Winthrop has recovered from his late dangerous ill-
-ness, and that the same power which has restored will long continue
him a blessing to the community and the brightest ornament of the society
to which he belongs. But the man of science and virtue holds himself
in readiness to quit every incumbrance and rise towards the celestial
world he has so often explored;- thus when he no longer associates
with this lower creation, he will be pursuing with greater advantage
the delightful enquiries here but begun. How often has he anticipated the

felicity of joining those kindred minds who have been longer employed in
the investigation of the astonishing works of the grand architect?

Shall I descend
from ideas so pleasing and agreeable to mention a man vested with power and
employing it only to destroy the happiness of society? No-let us leave him to his
own reflections and to the just contempt posterity will have for such a char-
-acter.

The private delinquent may blush when he recollects his errors, and
in the grand adjustment will suffer only in proportion to the design and influ-
-ence of his crimes;- but what must be the punishment of him whose public
conduct appears to be a series of premeditated injuries, not only against his con-
-temporaries but against communities that may exist when a train of suceeding
generations have forgotten to execrate his memory. May a speedy and sincere
repentance obtain forgiveness from heaven for crimes too big and too far spread
to expect the pardon of their fellow-men. * [Asterisk reference mark indicates there is a note below.]

There seems to be a dawn of hope from
the friendly disposition of some illustrious characters in England that measures
will not be pushed to the last extreme notwithstanding the late addition of evil
councellors about the throne. What a contemptible figure in future annals will
the present reign exhibit?

It appears to me the gentleman of the provincial
Congress have a most difficult part to act, --the public expectation
is turned towards them, and eagerly waiting some important step;- while
affairs abroad as well as at home seem to hang suspended on such a critical
prize that the least eccentric movement to the right or to the left might be
attended with the most alarming consequences. May heaven direct their
resolutions, and mark their conduct with wisdom and integrity, while it in-
vigorates the manly arm to execute whatever the exigencies of the times may re-
quire.

As we have often seen the most serene sky after the storms of the
natural world have subsided, we may yet hope for at least a temporary calm
in the political hemisphere if a few baleful meteors which at present infest
it were again reduced to their original insignificancy.

May those enlarged and
noble minds which dare to act with becoming firmness on the most trying occa-
-sions, be long continued to adorn each department in which they may be
called to officiate, and under the benign influenceof a superintending
providence, may the virtue of the people save the empire from destruction.

We have many among us who yet inherit the noble spirit of their ances-
-tors, who still retain a sense of the invaluable rights purchased at the
expense of life and fortune to a race of self denying heroes whose actions
would have done honour to the annals of Sparta;- and is it not probable
[Asterisk reference mark] * Alluding to Hutchinsons political conduct

that others will arise when a system is matured that wears a fair prospect
of success? Nor do I believe the politeness of one or the selfishness of another
Colony will prevent their taking part in the conflict. They will never
leave the Massachusetts alone to fall a prey to ministerial vengeance the
newly established correspondence between the several provinces, will
probably communicate a laudable breathing after the original freedom
of our progenitors that will spread far and wide to the confusion on and ter-
-ror of the abettors of despotism. -- I trust heaven will point out means
for relief--Oh! that it may not be written in characters of blood!

I sincerely congratulate my friends on the entrance of the new year
and whatever mighty resolutions may hang on the wing of time may
they know no interruption to their happiness but what is inseparably con-
-nected with a state of moral discipline and will finally tend to redouble
the felicity which is the result of conscious virtue.

You will remember Mr.
Warrens affectionate regards to Doctor Winthrop and Lady always accom
-pany those of your very sincere friend,

[The beginning of next letter is not transcribed here.]