Hague, 17 September, 1782.
My dearest Friend,--I have transmitted money to the young men whom you
mentioned to me, and have expected, every day for a long time, to hear
of their sailing in a cartel for America. They have been better treated
since the change of ministers. My respects to their parents.
It is now five months since my public reception here, but we have not
yet learned that any news of it has arrived in America. The refugees in
England are at their old game again. Andrew Sparhawk has published, in
the "Morning Post," that his brother has received a letter from New
York, that Massachusetts and several other States were upon the point of
overturning the new government, throwing off the authority of Congress,
and returning to the government of Great Britain. Their blood-thirsty
souls are not yet satiated. They are laboring to bring on again an
offensive war. But I think they can't succeed. I suppose the unhappy
affair of the county of Hampshire is the thing that gave occasion to
this representation. Our countrymen must be very unreasonable if they
can't be easy and happy under the government they have. I don't know
where they will find a better, or how they will make one. I dread the
consequences of the differences between chiefs. If Massachusetts gets
into parties, they will worry one another very rudely. But I rely on the
honesty and sobriety as well as good sense of the people. These
qualities will overawe the passions of individuals and preserve a steady
administration of the laws.
My duty to my mother and to your father. I hope to see them again. Love
to the children and all friends. What shall I say of my brother Cranch?
I long, and yet I dread, to hear from him.
I hope to sign the Treaty this week or next, or the week after. All
points are agreed on and nothing remains but to transcribe the copies
fair. This government is so complicated that months are consumed in
doing what might be done in another in an hour.
I don't know what to do with the list of articles you send me. It would
be better for you to write to Ingraham and Bromfield. I will pay.