I lately received a pacquet from Dr Bancroft, containing the inclosed for you.—1

By the date &c of the Doctor’s to me, it appears, that it was designed for me at Rathbone place, London; but not being seasonably to meet me there, has been forwarded by a friend, the latter end of October last.—

The Doctor likewise mentions two Volumes said to accompany it;— but these, the friend who forwarded the Packet, informs me were not sent with it; nor have I, upon enquiry, been able to get any information about them, further than that they were not sent.—

Were it not for this circumstance; and that it is possible, the Letter may contain some other matters than respecting myself, I would not, (after so many personal intrusions, honoured with as many indulgencies from you) have added this to the many, and important obligations I owe you & yours.

As I intend improving the earliest good opportunity for England, it renders it improbable I shall again have the honour of paying personally my respects to you or Lady,—will you permit me in improving this, to renew my most grateful acknowledgments for the professional confidence, and the honourable friendship you afforded me in London; and to assure you, that I did at that time, and ever shall lament, that my abilities and every other pretension on my part, were so very little worthy of it.—

My dear Mrs J. who is now in the straw, (having blessed me with a Son) laments even more than myself, that she can not have the pleasure of paying her respects to Mrs Adams—we unitedly tender her our best and most respectful wishes.—2

If she should visit this part of the Continent before we leave it, it will afford us singular satisfaction, to have the pleasure of seeing her.—

If Sir, supported as you are, by such able and more important friends, on both sides the Atlantick, there should be anything in which I can in any way be useful to you, or any friend of yours, I shall be made happy in proving the obligation I owe you, and tho I may not presume more, will engage for fidelity and attention.—

With my most cordial congratulations for the honourable situation which you so deservedly hold; and best wishes that you may 205 succeed to the next, whenever Providence may make it eligible, I request to subscribe, as I feel, your obliged, affectionate friend, and very respectful humble Servant

Long before I read your Excell̃: defence of the Constitutions &c I saw their Criticism bÿ the Reviewers, which enlarged my desire of perusing itself, flattering mÿ with the idea, that I should acquire a fair opportunity of Sending Some Strictures upon it to Mr. Adams; because the first announcing a fear of a to ardent Love for Democracÿ, and the following declaration, that those fears were lessened, raised the idea, that, perhaps, it was to favourable for Aristocratic. I perused Sir! your Excellent work and was Sorrÿ, in finishing this business, that I could find no faults nor essential remarks enough, to excuse the Liberty of writing, to the vice-president, if the Same man had not give me an encouragement bÿ honouring my in Holland with his familiar acquaintance, and persevering in the Same benevolent manners to this new countrÿman.

There no american dares censure with greater freedom than I all what I think worthÿ of it, though he maÿ do it perhaps, nameless, in a more illiberal manner than I, not a Singl american I believe is entitled to give the Same praise to a literarÿ composition of this kind, than your friend, without encurring the danger of being Suspected of flatterÿ— there I enjoÿ the Satisfaction of living happÿ and unenvied, there no Politic fear or hope can dasele mÿ eÿe and the purtÿ of mÿ intentions can be doubted of by Mr. Adams.

I admire your elegant, curious performance, abounding with Such a large Stock of ancient and modern learning, and Profound, true and judicious Political remarks, that, upon the whole, I dare it compare to the most useful writings of our best modern authors, and Sincerely wished, that it was perused by everÿ Sensible American, and devoured by everÿ Lover of Religious and civil Libertÿ—

Everÿ page increased mÿ desire of finishing a volume—and the last 206 encouraged me to recapitulate the whole, and I dare not saÿ, if I must more admire your convincing reasonings, or your persuasive argumentations, or your happÿ comparisons and easÿ language, or the Subtiletÿ and art, with which the recommendation of the present adopted constitution is interwoven in everÿ letter—in everÿ argumentation—it is alwaÿs carthaginem delendam esse censeo. 1 And this art Sir! So striking everÿ where is to be more admired, there these letters, had been produced upon the Spur of a Particular occasion, which made it necessarÿ to write, and publish with precipitation—[”]that Scarce a moment could be Spared to correct the Stile adjust the method, pare of excrescences, or even obliterate repetitions[”] (III. 500)—2 if your patience is not yet tired in reading Such a contininuation of harsh barbarism, and I am vain enough to believe that Mr. Adams is not without curiosity of knowing my opinion about it maÿ I then guess at that Spur of a Particular occasion, or communicate mÿ thoughts upon it? I dare Saÿ I maÿ—and in my opinion was Mr. Adams the Soul of the Philadelphian convention—or if that is to much, and the honourable members could not bear, to be animated in this waÿ, but trusted enough upon their own abilities to erect this new edifice—than Mr. adams framed, if it not arranged, all the essentials materials of this Report, inspired the one and other with these Sentiments, and amused first the Europeans with this elaborate performance, in order to have this form universallÿ approved in Europe, before it was adopted by the different States—in the persuasion, that Such an approbation could not be then favourable to the adoption——

At present I must venture Some Remarks, of no great consequence, who in part, perhaps, wil be approved bÿ their illustrious writer.

T.i. pref. xiv. Even the venerable magistrates of Amersfoort—&c this example, if it must be adduced, wanted Some elucidation, in a note, for everÿ English or american reader; perhaps Some Dutchman know the Particular event of this Small city, to which in this place is alluded—

———xvi. de Paw—wil not be known to manÿ americans—for their use, the addition in a note of, author of the Recher: Philos: Sur les Americains would have been Sufficient.3

———xvii. called without expectation, and compelled without previous inclination—was perhaps the case of a large number of the common people, in the citys and in the countrÿ—but I think not, that Mr. Adams wil affirm the Same of the leading man, and 207 principal characters of America, although there maÿ be one or other perhaps between them, who could Saÿ with truth I was called without expectation, and compelled without previous inclination.

your Eulogium of a trial by Jurÿ—of the danger of a Standing armÿ, and recommandation of the militia, continually (p. 95. 168)4 with manÿ curious and beautiful passages, as that of the three aristocratical virtues, p. 129, wil be in the eÿes of Some jealous american an atonement—for your often repeated inculcation—of perpetual rulers—(P. 71) hereditarÿ magistrates &c vol. III. p. 282 (283. 296. 297. 307.) I believed it is your Sentiment—I wished to See it explained—at large and defended. will a hereditarÿ Senat not diminish, in time, the prorogatives of the president, and the privileges of the people?5

281. upon what authority is it, that you Say, that Harmodius—&c from MERE PRIVATE revenge? can it be Sufficiently proved?6

346. Is your Explication of the Law of the 12 tables—with regard to the dissecare preferable to that more human, bÿ which the dissecare, alone is understood of the goods—dividee in partes, So as it is explained in Europe bÿ Eminent Publicists?7

It would be a desirable undertaking if a Adams would perform the arduous task which he offered to Mr. Smith (p. 369) or would rather complÿ with our wishes in furnishing america with a historÿ of the Revolution, there no man wil Surmount So easÿ all—the (389) enumerated difficulties, as the author of the defence of the Constitutions &. 8

Vol. ii P. 181 Ruccellai—Luigi alemanni—it Seems Sir! you took no notice, that there were in that conspiration two principal men of the Same name—Luigi alemanni—the one fled to Venice with Danobi Buon del monte, the other was beheaded at that time with Jacupo de Diacceto. The First was the author of a noble Poem La coltivasione &—9

201—the expedient of Niccolo Cauponi makes me remember a Similar expedient, used bÿ the magistracy of Middelburg in Zeeland, about the middle of this centurÿ—10

there was a violent commotion of the mob—originated bÿ a licence, to certain countrÿ people to bring their merchandises to market—this commotion was fomented more and more by one Smÿtegeld a calvinist preacher, a most popular man, who Swaied the multitude, and domineered them, as he pleased bÿ his fanatical and irresistable eloquence. the commotion was raised to Such a pitch—that the magistrates feared for their property and lives. one of them advised 208 to Send a deputation to Dr. Smytegeld, and implore his intercession—11 according to this Resolve two members went to Smytegeld for his good Endeavours— He refused—he was a minister of the gospel—of a kingdom not of this world—he could not meddle with Politiks.— upon his refuse, the magistrates urged him faster— than the preacher—you never go to the church Sirs! and come to me alone, because you are in danger—no—I wil—I Shal not hear your petitions—or the whole bodÿ of the magistrates must given a promise that they go to church wednesday next—and than I shall appease the citisens. the Magistracÿ appeared en corps. Smytegeld—after Psalm-Singing knocked with his hand—in a tremendous manner the pulpit, and asked who is there— he answered, the Magistracÿ of Middelburg— I hear not— he knocked a Second time “who is there” the States of Zeeland I hear not. he knocked for the 3d time, who is there— answered J. C. what Saÿd mÿ Lord? give to Cæsar, what is Cæsars—to god wat is god!

In his Sermon he gives the most insolent delineation of the different members of the Magistracy, in their Politice capacities— public & privat character, omitting nothing, that could Scandalise them— he finished his Sermon—without a word to the people—but after the Psalm-Singing—before the benediction—he Stood Some minutes immoveable—looked to heaven with compassion—and then upon his auditorÿ, unfolded his hands—and Spoke with a eloquence—peculiar common to him—“People of Middleburg—this was the moment—in which I would bless you—I your beloved Smytegeld—I would bless you with the darlings blessings of my heavenly Father—but I cannot— I have heard of Some riots and commotions—and thus I cannot— damnation, damnation is yours if you persevere— I—know—you have heard I know—you have unworthÿ—vile Sinners for you Magistrates—this is true—but—nevertheless—they are your Magistrates—and as Such—obedience is due to them, though they are wrong— the almighty Shal judge them— Let it Suffice— yours is obedience— I cannot bless you fearing that one or other of this congregation had a part in these commotion—perhaps a few—perhaps no one. what Should I be glad—people—citisens—let us see—the almighty’s eyes are upon is—he—who is a good citisen, who wil be obedient raise this moment—raise his right hand—his fingers—and renew with me the oath of obedience[”]—and in the Same moment, the whole congregation joined the preacher—he blessed them—and everÿ man was quiet—

P. 311. was there not a harsher Epithet Sir! for a merchant than 209 merchants, with unblushing heads. I allow, it is adjusted to the matter—but it cannot please a merchant—who is a exception upon this rule.

Vol. III. P. 10. is filled by all the members for one Week &c. not exact—the rotation is properlÿ speaking bÿ the different Provinces—everÿ Province enjoys the præsiduim a week—not bÿ members.

So just Sir! as your censure was T. i. p 123 upon the Sundaÿ Law and warden act—So unpleasing and hurting wil be to everÿ Pharisaical or fanatical ear the use, which you made of Some words—which however no person wil convince of your orthodoxÿ in these articles—I mean the Passages T. ii p. 422 Trinity in unity. III. p. 157. confusion of Languages— ib. 187. with regard to the devil. 363. Fall and milennium. 332. in Trinity12

the omissions of these few words would have deprived me, with the few—of a Smile—but your work of not one beauty, nor your reasonings of their Strength—it can work no good—but hurt the writer by à unthinking bigotted rabble, and Mr. Adams admonished his friend, to “be prudent in regard of Theological matters in America—at your arrival[”]—13

For america’s prosperity I wished that our illustrous President had been in the Same Sentiments upon the Cincinnati, which you expressed with So much truth and So emphatically p. 207–9.14

your placing the vindiciæ contra Tyrannos p. 211. between 1640 and 1660 seems to me, if I am not mistaken, an anachronism— This book was of a more early date. I posses an edition of this work, printed Francof, 1608—and this Surely was not the first. Spaguis, who give it to Fr. Hottoman, Bibl. p. 522 and Thuanus in his Francogallia Lib. 57 fol. 49 shows it Sufficiently—and the first autor makes mention of an edition Edinbergi 1579—another edition—in Latin and French is of 1580 or 1581, as i wel remember— Theod: Beza had the care of edition, printed in the Netherlands—and this perhaps was the reason, that it was adjudged to him.15

Who was that Shase, which you mentioned p. 219? Was that the head of the late insurrection in Massachusetts?

I was much pleased by your Strictures upon Cincinnatus (226) and the due tribut paid to the memorÿ of Spurius Melius and Manus Manlius—who tragical fate I pitied, as Soon, as learnt to read Roman historÿ (240–2–4) 244–257.16 what you Sai of the Roman Nobles p. 287 is literaly true of the Dutch in the abjuration of Philip the II— the people then changed of masters and loosed, bÿ the state Resolution of 1581, all that Political influence, which they enjoyed 210 under the government of charles the V and Philip the ii.17 The unanimity, required in the 7 united Provinces, is not general, as your Excellency’s opinion Seems to be, it is alone required in few capital points as peace, war truce, taxes and in the different Provinces—in everÿ point of incumbrance (291. col. 1355) othewyse few foreigners will be able to make the true and judicious reflections upon the Hollanders, as you penned it. 355— 291. 379. 462. if all the Patriots had been convinced of those truths—perhaps they would not have been Subdued, nor been the tools of few aristocratical man.—

what is the reason Sir, there you alledged p. 905—two authorities in which the principles, which you defended, had been acknowledged, that you gives your readers but one—the report of the convention of 17 Sept 1787. and omitted the ordinance of Congress of 13 July.

Thus I have finished mÿ remarks— if you Excell̃. had read them with patience, and can pardon the trouble, which I had given—than mÿ following lines wil want no excuse by the vice-president— there theÿ wil enable him, to Show—that under the present constitution Personal merit—and liberal arts are duelÿ encouraged, and that the personal property of everÿ citisen is protected, compatible with the Safety and intrest of the whole— I wil mention the last, and reserve a particular letter for the first—

You remember Sir! that Mr. de Nÿs and I, were constrain, to depose in the power of the States of the Province of Utrecht, before our enlargement, the Sum of fortÿ five thousand or 7500 £ N. york currencÿ in order, as it was Said, to recover out of this Sum, the damages caused by our direction to the Province of Utrecht and city of Wÿck-by Duurstede. we ardentlÿ wished to recover if not the whole, at least a part of it, and, neverthles al remonstrances in our favour, this affair is in the Same State, by my late information, as at my departure from that countrÿ—18

The onlÿ waÿ of Succes for us, Seems to me, if the congres or the President wil judge it convenable to interpose, and I doubt of one Single recommendatorÿ letter to the American agent at the Hage, one note of him to the States general wil do the matter, believing firmly that the Stadholder wil profit of this opportunity of humiliating Some aristocratical Leaders in that Province, who joined him in the revolution, and whose adsistance he wanted for a time to Subdue the people. It wil not be objected bÿ your Excellencÿ that this affair happened, before I was an American Citisen, or, that Congress cannot middle with the domestical affairs of the Dutch 211 Republic, of decide the right or wrong of the then contending parties, because, if one of this had taken place I would not trouble your Excell: with a Single line upon this matter.

That I was at that time no citisen of America matters not— this would prove to much, if this was admitted as a valuable plaÿ— Suppose, I had been a merchant—I had valuable engagements—Some made in behalf of this countrÿ, whose paÿments wer not acquited—I emigrated to America—after Some time the paÿment was refused— Should I not have a right to appeal to the Congres for their intercession? The Sum of 45000 gl. was not a due paÿment, was not required as a fine, but a lone to be [ramptised] as a Securitÿ for those, damages, which maÿ be found to be occasioned by our direction— So that Supposing those damages, true or false, amounting to 30 to 40000 Gl. there Should neverthles be 5000 gl our undoubted property, whose recovering Seems to me as justifiable, as anÿ mercantile debt—and this evinces, that an conditional intercession in mÿ particular favour, to recover Such a Sum, as maÿ the residuum, can never be Stiled a meddling in the Domestical affairs of the republic, or a decision between the contending parties. Such an intercession is practised often bÿ the Dutch Republic—lately enough in the case of chomel en Jordain, Merchants of Amsterdam against the house of Zanowiech, whose cause was espoused, clandestinely, by the Noble Senat of the Venetians—19 Such a conditional intercession must be applauded by the Dutch Ministerÿ, conscious enough, that they behaved not in that manner against the Americans—when they, in the time theÿ refused Mr. Adams a public audience as minister,20 enrolled and mustered at Nymegen the Hessian and anspachian troops— Shut the gates to make desertion impossible, and maket use of the garrison to watch this vile troupeau. If mÿ petition is lawful—and practicable—if it can be effected—with decencÿ as wel as without inconveniencÿ then I dare implore this act of protection as a right, and then, I am Sure, I wil be in need of no other argument, to obtain the powerful intercession of your Excellencÿ upon this matter.

Let me join another matter—in regard—to the encouragement of personal merit—and liberal arts—

Mr. S.S.G. Mappa, late Commander of the armed citisens in the province of Holland, one of the eminent characters Among the patriots, in regard of Political knowledge, undaunted bravery, and distinguished, personal merit, is arrived in New-york, with his familÿ—with a view, to Settle in this State. Upon advice of distinguished characters in Europe, and friends to America—with advice of 212 Embassador Jefferson, he brought with him a complete Letter-founderÿ not alone for the western, but for the oriental languages—at the value, at least of 20000 gl. Hol. or about 3500 £ New-york’s currencÿ—21

To this moment, there is, as far as i know, not a Single Letter-founderÿ, in America, and the Printers must purchase them in England or Scotland— What a valuable acquisition then for America—if Congres think it worth anÿ encouragement, and what is more easÿ than this—a tax upon the importation of forein Letter-types wil do everÿ thing—22 Such a tax can hurt no bodÿ, as Europeans and be of an infinite profit to american literature, if that gentleman can Supply enough—of the beauty and quality—at the Same rate—and this, I doubt not, or is possible, bÿ a tax upon importation— this wil be, an improvement, how Small it may be, for the public revenue, encrease the literarÿ performances, and Supplÿ us with Greek & oriental books, printed in America, now purchased at a high price in Holland and England—

Excuse Sir! this troublesome letter— it is the last time, that I Shal be importunate in this manner. Honour us with your favourable remembrance, and be persuaded that no American is with higher Sentiments of respect and esteem than I.

Sir / Your Excellency’s / most obedient and obliged Servant