I hope you have health enough to bear to share with me some of my Griefs. I have determined to do a Thing this day, which puts my Phylosophy to a Tryal. The Lt Gen. and Major Generals have recommened Col Smith to the Command of a Regiment. This is a Degradation of him to which I would not consent, without his Consent. I have written to him hoping that he would forbid the nomination. But his Pride is humbled to that degree that he writes me he will accept. It would give me less Pain to follow him to the Grave: but I know not but he and his Connections would blame me, if I refused, and I have concluded to send in the nomination.1 His situation will be miserable, under the Command of his former equals and Inferiours. The Prejudices against him are such that I think it problematical whether the Senate will not again Negative him, and I am sure if they do it will give me no pain. If he has forfeited his Character for Integrity and Honor he ought not to have a Regiment: if he has not he deserves a Brigade, and more.— Happy Washington! happy to be Childless! My Children give me more Pain than all my Ennemies. If Smith has forfeited his Honor, I wish some kind friend would have given me the Facts and the Proof.— In such a Case I would not nominate him to be a Lt.— But no such fact or Proof has been presented to me.

There was not a Line of Recommendation of W. Smith to be Loan officer of N. Carolina. But if there had been many I could not have nominated him. There were as many Candidates as for the Treasury of the Mint and these among the most respectable Natives of the state.2

I long to hear of Thomas.— Providence has preserved your Family you say. Ay and in many more and much greater dangers at sea, than you have any Idea of. Why Should I distrust? I do not. I have been preserved, almost miraculously preserved, I hope for some good— and not merely to be punished with the Knowledge of the Disgrace of my Children. My Grand Children I see are destined to be the poorest Objects in the Community. Partly in Grief and partly in Indignation, I am your ever affectionate

I recd to day your favr of 24 and it made the day more tolerable.1 Your health and Spirits always promote mine.

We have had more Company to Day than ever upon any Occasion. Thirty or forty Gallons of Punch, Wine in Proportion and Cake in Abundance. The News by The America Captn. Jenkins arrived at Newbury Port made every body gay but me. Not a Word of Thomas Boylston Adams. I shall be uneasy till I hear further. He could not be so imprudent as to omit that opportunity.

You have an Admirable Faculty of employing your Mind.— And in the Affairs of the farm materials for it.

I want my Talkative Wife, but fear, if she should attempt to come here she would not talk farther than Worcester or Springfield. But my Wife, was too studious and Addicted to scribbling to talk much to me when she was here.

Our People grow amazingly fearless & valiant in Proportion as they hear the English beat the French: and that formiable Combinations are forming against them by Turkey Russia Austria & England. I dont like this bravery which grows in Proportion as Danger appears to lessen. I like that Fortitude which increases as Danger grows, in a good Cause.—

The English have exhibited an amazing Example of skill and Intrepidity, Perseverance and Firmness at sea. We are a Chip of that Block. And We could do as We pleased at least as We ought upon the watery Element, if it were not that We shall excite Jealousy in 338 the English Navy. We must however, Stand for our Right. We must adopt their Motto Dieu et mon Droit.

Pray desire Dr Tufts to write to the Eastward for twenty foot Posts for my Barn.— I have recd his Letter about Turell Tufts and shall attend to it.2 His Letter is written in the hand of a young Man of 25. yours forever & ever