ances.

mencement of our opposition; they may be called the corner stone of our revolution or new empire. Little I believe did our friend, the first mover and inventor of them, expect to see this masterly stroke of policy so soon adopted by the people of England, to effect the redress of their own grievWhat will be the issue of the present apparently serious opposition, a little time will show ; but from the characters who take the lead in it, I conjecture the great body of the people will be made instrumental only of driving out the present administration, and will be but little the better for a change. They want the sage council of our said friend in conducting the affairs of their committees of correspondence to the proper point. Let us wish them success-I mean in arms. A civil war there would give peace to us. On that consideration alone I wish it may take place.

I find by a letter which I received the other day, that you wrote me a little after my departure. The letter is stayed to know your opinion respect

ing it, whether it shall be sent on or not. I hope you have determined that it must; in that case I may speedily receive it. I begged your answers to certain questions of much importance to myself and family. I hope you have or will give them particularly. Upon experience I find myself more interested in them than I imagined I should have been. To be open with you, for I know I may safely confide in you, I would say, when I received

notice of my appointment, which was soon followed by your letter pressing my acceptance of it, for reasons which were well grounded, and had great weight upon my mind, the matter that laboured most with me was, whether the salary was sufficient for a decent support for myself in Europe, and would admit of something likewise to be applied for the support of my family; the idea of laying up a sixpence out of it never entered my imagination. I knew I must give up a profitable business, and wished only to come out of my employment as well as I entered into it. I have sunk so great a part of my private fortune by the depreciation of our currency, as hath obliged me to pursue with industry the business of my profession for a subsistence; and this necessity alone compelled me to resign my seat in congress; a place of all others the most agreeable to me. I expected when I left America to be able to remit my family about £200 sterling for its support, and less I am sure will not answer, but I begin to be apprehensive that I shall be disappointed in this expectation; if so, I shall be under an absolute necessity of resigning my appointment and returning home, but as I told you before I left America I will fairly make the experiment before I take that step.*

*

*It is impossible to read these well-founded complaints of the want of a generous allowance without pain; and the more so, as experience has not yet corrected the cause.

I hope congress continue well united upon all great political questions, and that the arrangement of foreign matters has laid asleep all personal animosities and contentions. However, when expenditures shall be laid before you, look well to them. I am under some apprehension that heats will be again raised among you, upon the arrival of Messrs. Lee and Izard who will shortly sail in the Alliance for America, for they say they have many matters to lay before congress respecting certain foreign transactions. You understand my allusion, and you will not imagine by any thing here said, that I form a judgment between the contending parties. No, I am determined not to meddle in the least degree with their affairs, while here. When in congress it was my duty to do it when they came before us, 'tis now the clear dictate of duty and policy to keep free from them, and 'tis my firm determination to leave all parties behind me. At present we are at peace with all here; we visit and are visited without distinction, and if this harmony is disturbed I believe it will not be our fault.

I wish your constant labours in the general cause may be crowned with all the success you intend, and you must not suffer any vexations or disappointments you may meet with to abate your zeal and assiduity in the service of our country. I know you have met with many, and I believe you will meet with many more; but I never yet

saw you give way before them. Perseverando seems to be your proper motto. I wish better health.

And I am,

With the warmest esteem,

you

Your friend and very humble servant,

Hon. Elbridge Gerry.

FRANCIS DANA.

CHAPTER XXI.

State of the Country in 1779-80........ Correspondence with General Washington..........Commission for establishing Prices..........Letter of Samuel Adams........of Judge Sullivan........Rechosen a Delegate in Congress........ General Arnold's Accounts........Letter concerning him.

WHATEVER might have been the general expectation of peace, intelligent statesmen considered it indispensable to prepare for war. It was their maxim that among nations negotiation is best carried on by displaying the means of offence, and that respect is better obtained from an enemy by possessing the power to enforce it.

There were others, however, who if they did not entertain a different opinion, were yet unwilling to act up to the requirements of policy. They could not bring themselves to make the exertion and sacrifice which the condition of the country required. Every where there was a listlessness and torpor among the people. They had made great and wearisome efforts. Fortune had crowned their arms, and a whole British army were prisoners of war. This had been followed by an alliance with France; and from the exertions of their friends they were willing to hope for advantages, which their own efforts had but par