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enemy & others on the border of mutiny—General Washington under suspicions —about to be dismissed or to retire in disgust—The toast among the soldiers Washington or no army—and to compleat the picture the General Court laying on taxes and making regulations that the people are determined not to comply with—Yet I do not feel greatly terrified by these dismal accounts. We often see the Clouds gather blackness and when big with the lowring storm they are suddenly dispersed by that almighty hand who sits at the helm and suffers no Ill to befall his creatures but when necessary to promote the mighty designs of his providence—that providence has hitherto protected us—I strike out three fourths of the gloomy tale— only the vague [??] of the day & reverse the scene and view America finally triumphant though innumerable difficulty may rise up in her way— We have two British transports now in this harbour. A number of our people went on board yesterday and returned mightily pleased with the civility and the presents they received—What a weakness—how easily are mankind duped by each other without either true Confidence or Esteem — I have been better this day than any one since you left me. I know you pity me under this sorry Confinement. Were you to look in upon me & in your way “Come up Spirits” and then paint some agreeable [??], I know nothing that would have so ready a tendency to restore health: that Chearful voice has always a very happy effect on your Marcia mwp2, rc 40 to james warren [Although jw had taken an active role in Massachusetts politics since his early days as sheriff, by 1778 he found himself at odds with a number of other, more naturally political people, including John Hancock. This letter reflects not only mow’s judgment on her husband’s enemies but also the peculiar (if to some extent understandable) ambivalence of the Warrens to public service, especially given mow’s supremely republican principles.] to james warren, june 1778  101 Plimouth June 2d 1778 You my Dearest Friend, who have so often heard me Express my opinion of the Folly, Fickleness, And Ingratitude of Mankind will not wonder when I tell you I am not at all surprized to see them forsake a Man who for many years has at the expense of his own Health, Fortune, and Happiness uniformly labored[?] to promote their Interest, but I own I did not Expect to see your town so suddenly Deviate from the principles they formerly professed. I Never supposed that in the midst of the contest & at the most Critical period [??] they would suffer the Inveterate Enemies of their[?] Country[?] to lift up their heads & openly oppose the Measures & Malign the Men who have suffered so much in the public cause, yet strange as it may appear One of the Most publike Emissaries of Britain, And the most Malignant of your foes1 was suffered Yesterday in full Meeting of the town to Stand up & Cast the most Illiberal Reflections on a Man whose primary object has been to Reform[?] this people from the Thraldom of a foreign yoke & to secure Their Rights against the Machinations of the more Dangerous Enemies that Lurk in their own Bosom. With this sole point in View, how much fatigue & painful Watching have you sustained—& from your abscence & sufferings how much anxiety have I felt & how many tears has it Cost me. But you are now Released by the suffrages of the people & stand aquited to your God, your Country, & your Conscience if you Never Engage again.2 I feel the highest pleasure from the knowledge of your Integrity & the Certainty I have that the Voice of Popularity was never a stimulous to any one action of your Life. You have justly despised the Breath of the Vulgar, & Looked with Contempt on those selfish Wretches who Lie in Wait for the Applause of the Multitude & Court Adulation from Every servile Lip. How often has the young gentleman who is the Bearer of this agreed with me in Sentiment that the Reward of patriotism was not in this World & as he is just seting out in the Craggy path of political strife, May he Conduct so as to Reap the Laurels due to unblemished Virtue. But some say he has Entered at the wrong End of the Dangerous [??]. Yet I Cannot believe him so Lost to the Noble feelings of Friendship & Honour as to unite with the Enemies of his...

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