By mr̃ Cutting I have an opportunity of acknoleging the receipt of your favor of Sep. 10th. inclosing one for my daughter Polly.1 when she received it she flushed, she whitened, she flushed again, & in short was in such a flutter of joy that she could scarcely open it. this faithful history of her sensibility towards you must stand in lieu of her thanks which she has promised me she will write you herself: but at this moment she is in the convent where she is perfectly happy. by mr̃ Cutting you will also receive the 5. aunes of cambric which Colo. Smith desired me to have purchased for you at 12. livres the aune. I am sorry you were put to the trouble of advancing the money for mr̃ Sullivan's bill:2 I thought myself sure that mr̃ Grand's bill would reach you in time, and did not know he had omitted to advise mr̃ Teissier of it. he is always afraid to give to any body a complete power to call on him for money. mr̃ Littlepage is here under a secret commission from the King of Poland. possibly it may become a permanent one. I thank you for the American newspapers, and am glad to find that good sense is still uppermost in our country. great events are I think preparing here: and a combination of force likely to take place which will change the face of Europe. mr̃ Grenville has been very illy received. the annunciation by mr̃ Eden that England was arming, was considered as an insult: after this & the King of Prussia's entrance on the territories of Holland, mr̃ Grenville's arrival with conciliatory propositions is qualified with the 184title of “une insulte tres gratuite.” I am not certain that the final decision of this country is yet taken. perhaps the winter may be employed in previous arrangements unless any thing takes place at sea to bring on the rupture sooner. the Count de Gortz told me yesterday that the Prussian troops would retire from Holland the moment the states of Holland should make the expected reparation of the insult to the Princess. may not the scene which is preparing render it necessary for mr̃ Adams to defer the return to his own country?3

I have the honor to be with very sincere sentiments of esteem & respect Dear Madam—your most obedient & most humble servant

Your obliging favour by captain Folger came safe to Hand, and brought me the agreeable intelligence of my Eldest sons having received His degree, and performed his part to the satisfaction of his Friends, and his own credit. you know Sir from experience, that there is no musick sweeter in the Ears of parents, than the well earned praises of their children.

I hope he will continue through Life to mantain the Character of an honest man; and a usefull citizen I am anxious for his Health, and hope you will advise him to pay more attention to it, than he is inclined too

I presume before this time mr Adams's & my letters must have reachd you, respecting the purchase of Borlands place. I hope to 185hear from you upon this subject by Callihan: Mr Adams has written to you concerning our Farm and thinks it best to take it into his own Hands, as it will want manure, and many other things done; which we cannot expect from a Tenant, but as some arrangements will be necessary before we shall be able to reach America, I have thought whether Pheby would not undertake the dairy, with an assistant, and whether the other buisness might not be performd by hireing a man & Boy & agreeing to pay him a certain Sum he finding himself—

I know it is much easier to propose these things than to do them, and that it is putting a great deal of trouble upon you. Belcher used to be a good Hand & knows the place perfectly well, if you should buy mr Borlands place, that also will require attention. I hope we may be able to get home in june at furthest.—

Every thing here looks Hostile, and England is arming with all expedition and seem fully bent upon war, without a single object of Benifit, or conquest. The Nation appear very well pleasd at the prospect. The Conduct of France towards Holland, betrays either weakness or Fear. She has by her late conduct faded the laurels which she won in America. She has left her Ally, in their greatest distress, a prey to the orange mob, & the prussian Army To the machinations of British politicks, & the Tyrranny of the Stadholder. The Country will in a manner, be depopulated, the wealth of it transferd to other Nations, and the Prince of orange the Monarck of Frogs, perhaps the insolence of this Nation may provoke France to strike some unexpected stroke, but it will be too late to save Holland. The Patriots have already experienced the most outrageous conduct, and wanton cruelty, in the destruction of their Houses, and the ravage of their property, every personal indignity, and a constant threatning of their lives.

Such is the Mobility of all countries when once let lose, another lesson for America. I hope She will be wise enough to keep clear of the Blaize which threatnes Europe. She may rise into power and concequence, even by the Calamities of other Nations if she improves their folly arright

Mr Adams has finishd his other volm and requests when they arrive you would distribute a 2d volm to all those Gentleman to whom he sent the first, as well as those you added to the List, not forgetting Brother Shaw—1 The Reviewers to this month are sent you.

Remember me to your Son and believe me dear sir / most affectionately yours,