Your kind letter, which, considering the numerous engagements
incident to your situation, I had no right to expect, was highly
gratifying to me, and I take the first opportunity of
acknowledging it. For tho I believe I am completely recovered from
my late illness, I am advised to write as little as possible. Your
invitation to pay you a visit is flattering to me in the highest
degree, and I shall not wholly despair of some time or other
availing myself of it, but for the present I must take the nearest
way home.
Your resentment of the treatment I have met with in this country
is truly generous, but I must have been but little impressed with
the principles of the religion you so justly commend, if they had
not enabled me to bear much more than I have yet suffered. Do not
suppose that, after the much worse treatment to which I was for
many years exposed in England (of which the pamphlet I take the
liberty to inclose will give you some idea) I was much affected by
this. My _Letters to the Inhabitants of Northumberland_ were not
occasioned by any such thing, tho it served me as a pretense for
writing them, but the threatenings of Mr. Pickering, whose purpose
to send me out of the country Mr. Adams (as I conclude from a
circuitous attempt that he made to prevent it) would not, in the
circumstances in which he then was, have been able to directly
oppose. My publication was of service to me in that and other
respects and I hope, in some measure, to the common cause. But had
it not been for the extreme absurdity and violence of the late
administration, I do not know how far the measures might not have
been carried. I rejoice more than I can express in the glorious
reverse that has taken place, and which has secured your election.
This I flatter myself will be the permanent establishment of truly
republican principles in this country, and also contribute to the
same desirable event in more distant ones.
I beg you would not trouble yourself with any answer to this. The
knowledge of your good opinion and good wishes, is quite
sufficient for me. I feel for the difficulties of your situation,
but your spirit and prudence will carry you thro them, tho not
without paying the tax which the wise laws of nature have imposed
upon preeminence and celebrity of every kind, a tax which, for
want of true greatness of mind, neither of your predecessors, if I
estimate their characters aright, paid without much reluctance.
With every good wish, I am,
Dear Sir,
Yours sincerely,
J. PRIESTLEY.