Falmouth, 7 July, 1774.
Have you seen a list of the addressers of the late Governor?[27] There
is one abroad, with the character, profession, or occupation of each
person against his name. I have never seen it, but Judge Brown says
against the name of Andrew Faneuil Phillips is "Nothing." And that
Andrew, when he first heard of it, said, "Better be nothing with one
side than everything with the other."
This was witty and smart, whether Andrew said it or what is more likely,
it was made for him. A notion prevails among all parties that it is
politest and genteelest to be on the side of administration; that the
better sort, the wiser few, are on one side, and that the multitude, the
vulgar, the herd, the rabble, the mob only, are on the other. So
difficult is it for the frail, feeble mind of man to shake itself loose
from all prejudice and habits. However, Andrew or his prompter is
perfectly right in his judgment, and will finally be proved to be, so
that the lowest on the Tory scale will make it more for his interest
than the highest on the Whiggish. And as long as a man adheres immovably
to his own interest and has understanding or luck enough to secure and
promote it, he will have the character of a man of sense, and will be
respected by a selfish world. I know of no better reason for it than
this, that most men are conscious that they aim at their own interest
only, and that if they fail it is owing to short sight or ill luck, and
therefore they can't blame, but secretly applaud, admire, and sometimes
envy those whose capacities have proved greater and fortunes more
prosperous.
I am engaged in a famous cause,--the cause of King, of Scarborough,
_versus_ a mob that broke into his house and rifled his papers and
terrified him, his wife, children and servants in the night. The terror
and distress, the distraction and horror of his family cannot be
described by words or painted upon canvas. It is enough to move a
statue, to melt a heart of stone, to read the story. A mind susceptible
of the feelings of humanity, a heart which can be touched with
sensibility for human misery and wretchedness, must reluct, must burn
with resentment and indignation at such outrageous injuries. These
private mobs I do and will detest.[28] If popular commotions can be
justified in opposition to attacks upon the Constitution, it can be only
when fundamentals are invaded, nor then unless for absolute necessity,
and with great caution. But these tarrings and featherings, this
breaking open houses by rude and insolent rabble in resentment for
private wrongs, or in pursuance of private prejudices and passions, must
be discountenanced. It cannot be even excused upon any principle which
can be entertained by a good citizen, a worthy member of society.
Dined with Mr. Collector Francis Waldo,[29] Esquire, in company with Mr.
Winthrop, the two Quincys, and the two Sullivans, all very social and
cheerful--full of politics. S. Quincy's tongue ran as fast as anybody's.
He was clear in it, that the House of Commons had no right to take
money out of our pockets more than any foreign state; repeated large
paragraphs from a publication of Mr. Burke's in 1766, and large
paragraphs from Junius Americanus, etc. This is to talk and to shine
before persons who have no capacity of judging, and who do not know that
he is ignorant of every rope in the ship.[30]
I shan't be able to get away till next week. I am concerned only in two
or three cases, and none of them are come on yet. Such an Eastern
circuit I never made. I shall bring home as much as I brought from home,
I hope, and not much more, I fear. I go mourning in my heart all the day
long, though I say nothing. I am melancholy for the public and anxious
for my family. As for myself, a frock and trousers, a hoe and a spade
would do for my remaining days.
For God's sake make your children _hardy_, _active_, and _industrious_;
for strength, activity and industry will be their only resource and
dependence.