I this day received yours of the 20th of April, accompanied with a
letter upon government. Upon reading it I somehow or other felt an
uncommon affection for it. I could not help thinking it was a near
relation of a very intimate friend of mine. If I am mistaken in its
descent, I know it has a near affinity to the sentiments of that person.
And though I cannot pretend to be an adept in the art of government, yet
it looks rational that a government of good laws well administered
should carry with them the fairest prospect of happiness to a community,
as well as to individuals. But as this is a prerogative to which your
sex lay an almost exclusive claim, I shall quit the subject after having
quoted a passage in favor of a republic, from an anonymous author
entitled "Essays on the Genius and Writings of Pope."
"The fine arts in short, are naturally attendant upon power and luxury.
But the sciences require unlimited freedom to raise them to their full
vigor and growth. In a monarchy there may be poets, painters, and
musicians, but orators, historians, and philosophers can exist in a
republic alone. The Roman nation, by their unjust attempt upon the
liberty of the world, justly lost their own, and with their liberty they
lost not only their force of eloquence, but even their style and
language itself."
This province is not in the most agreeable situation at present. It
wants a poise, a stability, which it does not possess. The Council have
recommended it to the Superior Court to sit at Ipswich next term. Judge
Cushing called upon me yesterday with his lady, and made me a very
friendly visit; said he wished earnestly for the presence of the Chief
Justice. He had many things he wished to say to him. I requested him to
write, and he has promised to.
The spirit of fortification has just waked, and we are now pursuing with
vigor what ought before this time to have been completed. Fort Hill, the
Castle, Dorchester Points, Noddle's Island are almost completed. A
committee are sent down to Nantasket, and orders are given to fortify
the Moon, George's Island, etc. I believe Noddle's Island has been done
by subscription. Six hundred inhabitants of the town meet every morning
in the town house, from whence they march with fife and drum, with Mr.
Gordon, Mr. Skilman, and Mr. Lothrop at their head, to the Long Wharf,
where they embark for the island; and it comes to the subscribers' turn
to work two days in a week.
You have no doubt heard of the appointment of your friend as judge. He
seems loath to accept, and his lady I think loath that he should. Surely
it does not look well to have those offices bandied about from hand to
hand; if they could not obtain one from the bar, that gentleman will
fill the place with honor to himself and his brethren. But Mr. Lowell
ought to have come in, instead of some others; but there are some in
Council who require more than Heaven: that demands only repentance and
amendment.
Let me hear from you often.