A Passage of 28 days, landed me & my fellow Passengers safe on the shore of England— Our desire was to be put on shore at Dover, but the tide being against us from the place where the Vessel came to, we were obliged to put in to Deal; a little swindling village a few miles above Dover; here we landed, & asif we had been made of Gold or something more precious, the people were crouding round us by dozens. I assumed an aspect as ferocious & forbiding as I was able, but it neither prevented their officiousness, nor disconcerted their most disinterested civility. I had prepared Whitcomb for the reception, by all the previous instruction within my knowledge, and I believe he was fully persuaded, that every man he saw was a Knave, and not to be trusted out of ones sight, nor in it. I gave him the Counter sign, & he let go the end of a Trunk which a sturdy Porter was attempting to take up, & which would have cost some trouble but for the sign. Whitcomb was sick most of the Voyage, & was not only useless, but an incumbrance; you informed me of one complaint which I found very prevalent at Sea; and your specific for it was the only thing forgotten; I trusted to you or Dr: Welsh to have it put up; but neither our private medeine chest, nor that belonging to the Vessel contained it. A spoonful of Castor Oil would have prevented many bad effects, which other medicines did not for a 238 longtime relieve— we all found ourselves tollerably well upon arrival; indeed I was really Sea sick but about 12 or 20 hours, & that on the second day. The weather for the most part was pleasant enough; sometimes a little blustering but as it was usually fair, it was perhaps better to have too much, than too little—

Since my arrival here, I have scarcely been able to transact any business; when the novelty of the scene shall be passed, I hope to rally my scattered senses, round the standard of reason & moderation once more. At present, were I to attempt a description of the different impressions I have received, my language must partake of the incoherence of my ideas; wandering as a dream, & more rapid in succession, a detail at present might bear a nearer resemblance to a real reverie, than afford a true sketch of occurrences.

For the movement of the political waters, I must refer to what I have written to my Father.1 It is a small portion only, of the news of the day, & very hastily, drawn. We are waiting for the return of the Mail from Holland to learn the real state of affairs in that Country, and what we are to expect upon our arrival there— The general apprehension here seems to be that the ruling powers of Holland will negotiate the most favorable terms with the French, they can; but it scarce admits a doubt, that the French will be able in a short time to impose what terms they please. It will not be a pleasant thing to reside in that Country at this period; but since the death of Robespiere the system of the French is said to be less sanguinary, & should they even overrun Holland during our residence, we may chance to escape molestation.2 In the course of a week from this time, we expect to take our departure from London.

Mr: Jay we found somewhat indisposed, but he has recovered so far as to go out— He is treated with a vast deal of respect & attention. A War with America, is the subject of conversation, but the universal wish so far as I have heared seems to be for peace & amity— The French are & have been successful, beyond all calculation for four months past.

I cannot omit to mention the Civility of Mr. Dickason & his family;—every attention has been shewn us by them within their power.3 In the procurement of our Bagage we have received every assistance. Mr. Vaughan, Mr Bird, and in short every person to whom we have been introduced, have discovered a disposition to serve us, much beyond my expectations.4 I shall certainly be ennamored with the hospitality of this people, whatever drawback may arise from other sources—

I wish to say a thousand things more, but for the present must content myself with subscribing

We have been already ten days in this place, but there has been no opportunity to Boston since our arrival. And altho’ I have done but very little, yet I have been so perpetually busy, that I have scarce found time even to write to the Secretary of State, and to my Father.1

My Brother I presume has informed you, how pleasant our passage was in every respect, excepting the conveyance, & how very unpleasant in that. It is the second time I have been to Sea in a crazy Ship, I think I shall beware of the third.

Mr Jay is yet here, and I hope there is a prospect of his coming to some terms with the Ministry, which will be satisfactory to the honor, and advantageous to the interests of the United States.

The situation of their affairs here is such that an absolute quarrel with America, would not be a eligible thing for them; I believe they are sick enough of their war with France.

The Hollanders must either make a separate peace, or lay the whole Country under water, or surrender at discretion to the French Armies. Flanders and Brabant are in possession of the Republican 240 troops; Maestricht & Nimeguen are beseiged, and are not expected to hold out long.

In Spain, Sardinia, and the Austrian Dominions the French are equally successful.2 If they can but learn to be moderate in their prosperity, there is no doubt but they may make their own terms of peace with all the allies except Britain; There is little present prospect of peace between these two powers.

You have heard what has been the fate of Robespierre. A party of moderates have succeeded him, their characteristic is clemency and gentleness; But their power is far from being established, and the Jacobins are against them. There will be more bloody work among them before long.

In this Country, Loyalty is yet very fashionable I was at Covent Garden Theatre the other evening, when the tune of “God save the King” was played by the band; the whole audience rose, & stood all the time it was performing, clapping their hands, and crying Bravo, as if it had been the scene of a favorite Play. I suspect the heart, did not in every instance join in the applause.

Horne Tooke, & eight other persons, are to be tried for High Treason, next week. It will require some latitude of construction, to make their offence if proved, amount to High Treason, but from the temper of the times, they will probably, many of them be found guilty.

A Conspiracy to assassinate the king, has been discovered, or invented; but the story of it, contains so much of the marvelous, that I think it hardly worth telling, and indeed I know not precisely what it is.3

The political situation of this people, is far from being happy. But the face of the Country is beautiful beyond description. Its appearance between Dover & this City, has greatly improved since we travelled that road together.4 The Country is under higher cultivation, and the towns exhibit greater opulence. The roads are in higher perfection, and the Inns more elegant, and with greater accomodations. You will scarcely believe all this to be possible, but it is unquestionably true. Since the peace with America, this Country has been prosperous in its Commerce beyond all conception, and at this moment, its opulence is incredible. Britain is the Sidon of the day, but I think she has now reached the ultimate point of her exaltation, and her future glory will be to tell of what she was.

We intend to sett out for the Hague, next tuesday, which will be, the 28th: instant. The situation of that Country is so very critical, 241 that I cannot omit going over without an hour of unnecessary delay. You will not harbor any anxiety on our account from the French Armies being there. We are Neutrals, and peaceable men; friends of both parties, and shall take no share in their contests on either side. Our rights therefore will undoubtedly be respected. The french armies are said to be under the severest discipline, and observe the most perfect regularity and order. The British troops there, have a reputation so different, that the Hollanders are much more afraid of their allies, than of their Enemies.

But our immediate departure, obliges us further to postpone, the fulfilment of our promise of the Miniatures in Bracelets; we have been so much employed every moment of our time, that it has been altogether impossible for us to get the likenesses taken; We shall however, if we can find an artist in Holland, of proper skill, have them taken there, & the setting, we can have done here at any time.

There are not many Americans here at this time, and I have seen but few of your old acquaintance. Mr T Boylston paid us a visit yesterday; he is at liberty, but pretty well stripped of his immense fortune; He speaks of his will, and of the extraordinary things, he would have done and appears to think the Town of Boston, and the State of Massachusetts as much indebted to him, as if they actually enjoyed all the benefits he intended for them. I gave him some offence by scrupling to give him a certificate that he is a Citizen of the United States. “After all he had done for us he thought it a little extraordinary, that I should have any doubts upon the subject.” On the whole, I believe he is really an American Citizen, but I was not certain, and refered him for his certificate to the American Minister at this Court.5

We are to dine with Mr Hallowell tomorrow. Mrs Hallowell labors under a severe disorder, which they expect will soon take her to a better world.6

We have not seen Mrs Copley, but your letter has been delivered to her, and we shall see her before we go to Holland. Mr Copley is employed upon a picture of Charles the 1st: demanding the five members in the house of Commons.7 It is a very good subject, and will I think be particularly interesting at the present time.

We have been once to each of the two Theatres, Mrs Siddons still commands universal admiration at Drury Lane, and a Miss Wallis has appeared this Season with great applause at Covent Garden.8 I enclose a new Comedy of Cumberland, which I hope will afford you an hour’s amusement.9

Please to remember me affectionately to all our friends at Quincy, and accept the assurance of the most unalterable respect, and attachment / from your Son.