dom, by flattering the prejudices of the audience, but I think they will lose more esteem than they will acquire by such means.

If my mother still lives, present her my duty and tender sympathy under her affliction. I am, with every tender sentiment,

Yours forever,

JOHN ADAMS.

LETTER CCXXII.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

Philadelphia, 2 March, 1794.

THE Senate were obliged to spend the whole of the last week, in a solemn trial of the election of Mr. Gallatin, and I find that a great impression has been made upon the public by the learning, eloquence, and reasoning of some of the senators. The decision has given general satisfaction. That popularity was more courted than truth by a few individuals, I fear will be the judgment of some of the most enlightened and independent spectators.

The vessel

I have again been unfortunate at sea. in which I shipped my grass seeds and two barrels of rye flour for you, has been run down and sunk in the river by a large ship. Most of the cargo was saved, but whether my adventure was saved or lost, I have not yet learned. The weather to-day has been very

warm, and the snow, which generally covered the earth this morning, is, I presume, nearly gone. The spring will advance with rapid strides, and I shall be impatient to be at home; but I cannot prevail upon myself to ask leave of absence from my post at this critical time, when we know not what questions or events a day may bring forth.

The new French minister, M. Fauchet, is about thirty-three. He is not quite so unreserved as his predecessor, but he seems to me to be in great distress. He was received by the galleries in the theatre with three cheers, but the people have not addressed him or made much noise about him. At the birth-night ball he was placed by the managers on the right hand of the President, which gave great offence to the Spanish commissioners; and it is said Mr. Hammond has left the theatre, offended or disgusted at some partial popular distinctions there. My melancholy anxiety for my mother prevents me from visiting theatres and assemblies, so that I know nothing but by hearsay.

The discussions of last week kept me five or six hours a day in so close a confinement, and the crowd of hearers injured the air so, that I was almost sick; but a day or two of rest has relieved me in some degree. I long for my home, but that is not to be my felicity for some time.

VOL. IV.

10

10

Yours,

J. A.

LETTER CCXXIII.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

Philadelphia, 12 March, 1794.

I HAVE all along flattered myself with hopes that I might with propriety have taken leave of the Senate and returned home as soon as the roads might be settled, but such is the critical state of our public affairs, and I daily hear such doctrines advanced and supported by almost and, sometimes, quite one half of the Senate, that I shall not prevail on myself to abandon my post. This day, the senators were equally divided upon a question, which seemed to me to involve nothing less than peace and war, and I was obliged to decide it, to the no small chagrin of a number. If this country is involved in war, it shall not be by my fault; but if it comes either from the malice of our enemies or the imprudence of our own people, it may perhaps be found that I shall not shrink from its difficulties sooner than some who now seek it in disguise. Business is now carried on with rapidity in both houses, and I shall have a month of severe duty. I have not been absent a day. It is, to be sure, a punishment to hear other men talk five hours every day and not be at liberty to talk at all myself, especially as more than half I hear appears to me very young, inconsiderate, and inexperienced.

The Boston town meeting, as it terminated, did a

service to the public. If government must be affronted or intimidated by popular clubs and partial meetings of the people, it is a pity that our cities are not all as capable as Boston of discussing great questions. But in New York and Philadelphia there is meeting against meeting, and club against club, to the utter confusion of the public opinion.

It is rumored that we are to lose two ministers of state' by resignation, but I would not have the report propagated from me. I suffer many melancholy hours on account of my dear mother, and as many on your account. Your trial must be severe, and I often wish I were with you to cheer up your spirits and share a part of your cares. The spring opens, the birds sing, the weather is fine, and all things cheerful, but my thoughts about my home and our public prospects.

Adieu, my dear partner, ever your

JOHN ADAMS.

LETTER CCXXIV.

Philadelphia, 1 April, 1794.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

CHEESEMAN has at length arrived, and I have received my trunk in much better order than I expected.

1 Mr. Hamilton and General Knox, who did not, however, actually retire until the next year.

The people here are much cooler than they were last week. The embargo begins to be felt by many who have been the most noisy and turbulent. Speculation mingles itself in every political operation, and many merchants have already made a noble spec of the embargo by raising their prices; but the foolish tradesmen and laborers, who were so ready to follow the heels of their scheming leaders, are now out of employment, and will lose thirty dollars a head by this embargo. If they had been taxed half the sum to the most necessary and important measure, they would have bitterly complained. I can see little benefit in the embargo, except that it may cool down the courage of such kind of people. It may be expected that we shall soon have a clamor against the renewal of it, if not to have it repealed.

The Assembly of Pennsylvania have this day chosen a senator; Mr. James Ross, of Washington county, in the place of Mr. Gallatin.

A violent measure has been proposed1 in the House, to sequester all debts due from American citizens to British subjects. Such a motion will do no honor to our country. Such laws are injurious to the debtor as well as the creditor, for they cannot dissolve the contracts. It will not pass the House, and if it did, it would stop in the Senate.

We are rejoiced that the civic feast in Boston succeeded no better. It is astonishing that Mr. A. should

1 By Mr. Dayton. See Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, 27th March.