Philadelphia Feb. 12. 1793
My dearest Friend
I recieved Yesterday your kind favour of the 1st of this Month
[Abigail to John, 12 February 1793]
and thank your for its agreable Contents. I have now to congratulate you on the arrival of your Son and Daughter and two grandsons in fine health at New York. They have done wisely to fly from the Evil to come in Europe; although it is somewhat dubious whether our Fellow Citizens will have the Wisdom to abstain from similar Evils in this Country.
My Friend Malesherbes is about to crown the End of his Life, with greater Glory than he gained in his Youth or middle Age, tho this was Splendid. Such a Character as that great Magistrate ought to wish to die on So great a Theater, in defence of his Prince and Struggling against the disgrace, which Enthusiasm is about to bring upon the Nation.
The Spirit of Ambition and of Conquest
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which the French
Republick in its Cradle has already discovered has
allarmed England and Holland.
France has been execrated in Europe for their Ambition for Universal Monarchy: but the Passion was imputed to their Kings Henry 4th and Lewis 14th. But the People are already giving unequivocal Proofs of an equal Lust after an Universal Republick. The Passion is and always has been in the People, the Nation, and their Leaders will [illegible] ever be infected with it, whether they call them Kings or Presidents or Citizens.
I can only sigh, at the Prospect of Calamities opening on the human Race, and pray God to avert them.
We have to day a deep snow, which I hope will last till I can reach Quincy in a slay, and there enjoy a felicity which will never be allowed me any where else.
Tenderly Yours,
J. A.
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[Endorsement -- see page image]
