Papers of John Adams, volume 17
th:1785
Mrs Wrights Most Respectfull Complints to her Friend—Adams Esqr. &c.1—and has the pleasur to deliver to him those papers—from Major Labilleere presented by him to Mr̃ Adams Esqr. as a Worthy Charatckr on whos Condoct and sentements much Depends toward bringing Justic and good goverment to a Ingured people—2 the Eyes of the World is on the present Moments— The house of Ahab Must not be forgiven blood
3
Much Truths and Meny Freends to Virtue are Ready to assist in the glorious work of Establishing peace and traid liberty and all its train of Hapiness to this Contry—
Note the Consells have been apointed by this Gunto this 5 months past with the names of the Bishops &c letters are Sent out by Reverd Mr English Mr Comby doct Cooper the Bishop of Cantabury Wm Smith and others [. . .] doct Chandlor to Mr Livengston Govenr: of New Jersy4 [. . .]aying as formerly pray Read XX Chap 1 Kings there? Ben-hadad Made War with Isreal: Read the whole Chapter and See how he fled and he Come into a Innr Chambr—5 The King of England is now acting the Same part— what was is now and Eve will be amongst Men dont Suffer your Selves to be deceve’d
doctr Jebb and other worthy tryd Freends to America Can testife how active a part Major Labilleere has taken in the Cause of that Contry and the Extrordaney pains to Set truth before the Solders— “Not to fight against their Concience the Cause of America was the Cause of God” with love to Mrs Adams I am with the higst Esteem you / and my Contrys faithful friend and very humbl Servt
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “—Adams Esqr / with Papers from / Major Labilleere”; endorsed: “Mrs Wright”; docketed: “June 5th 1785.” Some loss of text where the seal was removed.
For Wright, artist and proprietor of a popular wax museum in London, and her relationship with the Adamses, see vol. 15:xiii.
Maj. Peter Labilliere, formerly of the Royal Marines, was a longtime and eccentric partisan of the American and other liberal causes. His most enduring fame came at his death in 1800 when he ordered his burial to be perpendicular, with his head downward (Charles Coleman Sellers, Patience Wright, Middletown, Conn., 1976, p. 114–115). The papers presumably enclosed have not been found.
Probably a reference to 2 Kings, 9:7: “And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel.”
Wright’s meaning here is unclear, but 156she may be referring in part to the desire of the American Episcopal Church, newly independent of the Church of England, to create its own bishops.
1 Kings, 20:1–43.