56
we have accounts by way of New york to the 8
th
of march, which inform us that general Lincoln
had met with more resistance from the insurgents, than we had reason to expect from former
accounts, that an engagement had taken place, in which several persons on both sides fell, but
we do not learn who, that Shayes had got off into vermont, where it was probable he would meet
with protection. I hope these accounts are not well founded. Let not the Patriots of our Country
be discouraged or disheartned altho their affairs are much embarrassed. the Country is fruitfull
in resources, patience perseverence industery and frugality will accomplish great things. our
Countrymen create most of the misfortunes they feel, for want of a disinterested Spirit; a
confidence in each other, & a union of the whole. it is a great misfortune when one state thawrts
the measures of 11 or 12 and thus injures, the credit & reputation of the whole. the situation of
our Country greatly damps the pleasure I should feel in anticipating my return to it. you may
well suppose that falshoods in abundance are circulated here, an attempt to publish the Truth; or
contradict them, would have no other affect than raising a Nest of wasps & Hornets, & would
employ the whole time of one person. an extract of a Letter publishd from dr Rush to dr price,
giving an account of the establishment of 2 or 3 new societies, drew upon the latter so much
abuse & Scurility as would disgrace any people. the writer like an envenomed toad spit forth his
poison. there are a set of Refugees residing here, the enormity of whose offenses forbids their
ever returning again to America, like Satan they look to the Heights from which they have fallen,
with a malice and envy similar to that which the arch Fiend felt when he beheld the Glory of the
new world, and like him they wish to destroy the happiness of its inhabitants. such is Galloway,
& Smith who is gone prime minister to Lord Dorchester, a few days before he left the Country,
he gave it has his solid opinion that, he did not doubt he should live to see America sue to Britain
for protection & to be received again by it, he might have added; it should not be his fault if they
did not. I hope a watchfull Eye will be kept over Lord Dorchester & all his movements—This
Government are as much disposed to sow seeds of dissention amongst us as ever, & build wholy
upon our splitting to peices. But I will quit this subject for our own Domestick concerns. you ask
my opinion respecting the wives talkd of for our uncles. Second marriages at their age can be
considerd only as affairs of convenience the heyday of the Blood is tame, and waits upon the
judgment, as Hamlet expresses it. the same ardor & passion so suitable in Youth would be
ridiculous in age, nor is it improper to consult even Interest as well as convenience. Good
dispositions fair Characters and a regard to the station which was formerly held by the parties,
ought to be more maturely considerd than at an earlyer period of Life. young people more easily
accommodate themselves to each other, too great a disparity in years often makes second
marriages not only Ridiculous but unhappy—I know not the person whom I should like so well or
one who would do more credit to the Relation, or discharge the duties of her station with greater
honour to herself than the Lady you have mentiond for our good uncle S— She is the only one,
which has occured to my mind, since the discease of our dear Aunt—as to the other Lady of the
same Name, I can only say if I was in her situation I would not exchange it for a residence at
Weymouth tho I have not a personal knowledge of mrs W. from the Character which she sustaind
in this Country, the visisitudes of fortune which she experienced with great equinimity, the many
handsome things I have heard dr Jeffries say of her, who attended her through a most distressing
sickness the perfect Harmony in which she is said to have lived with her former partner, all
serves to hold her up to my view as a Lady highly deserving & well calculated for any situation
in Life affliction is the best school for wisdom, and knowledge, but whereever my worthy Friends
may fix; I most sincerely wish them happy and I am sure they will not give me a Relation whom I
cannot respect.—I am very glad that Miss Mayhew has so pretty an addition to her fortune, she
did not however stand in need of that recommendation in my Eye to qualify her for a good wife. I