Amsterdam, 18 December, 1781.
My dearest Friend,--I have letters from Mr. Dana and his young
attendant[212] at St. Petersburg. Both well and in good spirits. Letters
to Mrs. Dana and to you go by Captain Trowbridge and by Dr. Dexter. I
have no certain news as yet of Charles's sailing from Bilbao, but I
presume he is sailed. You will have suffered great anxiety on his
account, but I pray he may arrive safe. I acted for the best when I
consented he should go with Gillon, little expecting that he would be
landed in Spain again. Keep him to his studies, and send him to college,
where I wish his brother John was.
My health is feeble, but better than it was. I am busy enough, yet not
to much perceptible purpose as yet. There is no prospect at all of
peace. Let our people take care of their trade and privateers next year.
They have not much of a land war to fear. General Washington has struck
the most sublime stroke of all in that article of the capitulation which
reserves the Tories for trial by their peers. This has struck Toryism
dumb and dead. I expect that all the rancor of the refugees will be
poured out upon Cornwallis for it. Our enemies now really stand in a
ridiculous light. They feel it, but cannot take the resolution to be
wise. The Romans never saw but one Caudine Forks in their whole history.
Americans have shown the Britons two in one war. But they must do more.
Remember, you never will have peace while the Britons have a company of
soldiers at liberty within the United States. New York must be taken, or
you will never have peace. All in good time.
The British army estimates are the same as last year. The navy less by
several ships of the line. What can these people hope for? I fancy the
southern States will hold their heads very high. They have a right. They
will scarcely be overrun again, I believe, even in the hasty manner of
Cornwallis. Burgoyne don't seem to be affronted that his nose is out of
joint. He is in good spirits. Experience has convinced him, so I hope it
has Cornwallis, that the American war is impracticable. The flower, the
choice of the British army was with him. The King of England consoles
his people under all their disgraces, disasters, and dismal prospects,
by telling them that they are brave and free. It is a pity for him that
he did not allow the Americans to be so seven years ago. But the great
designs of Providence must be accomplished. Great indeed! The progress
of society will be accelerated by centuries by this Revolution. The
Emperor of Germany is adopting, as fast as he can, American ideas of
toleration and religious liberty, and it will become the fashionable
system of all Europe very soon. Light spreads from the dayspring in the
west, and may it shine more and more until the perfect day! Duty to
parents. Love to brothers, sisters, and children. It is not in the power
of words to express the tenderness with which I bid you farewell.