In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

compliments to the family of the American minister.3 From his conduct through the war, this might be expected. It is reported that this nobleman is to be the first Ambassador from Britain to the United States. Perhaps no one would be more universally pleasing to America. I forwarded a package last April by Capt. Sydes[?] under cover to Janeson [?] & Frazier. You might not have arrived in England when he arrived. Did you ever receive it? There was enclosed therein letters for Mr. Adams, for you, for my son in Lisbon. Mr. Warren’s complements accompany the regards of your friend, M Warren mwp2, draft 1. It is unclear whether George studied law or was preparing for Harvard while in Northampton, but he would eventually leave there to move to Maine, where he would spend the rest of his life in more rustic and less academic circumstances. The Strong family was prominent in the area. Charles, meanwhile, suffered considerably from his tuberculosis , occasioning comments in aa’s letters to ja at this time about how close to death she thought he was. However, his sojourn at Cap-François in Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti), undertaken in 1784, apparently revived him enough to survive one more year. 2. During this period, correspondents shared letters almost in the way that people forward e-mails today—sometimes with the same embarrassing results. Especially among women, letters circulated through multiple hands, sometimes copied and sent further afield. A number of mow’s letters survive in multiple hands as evidence of this wide circulation of manuscript even as print culture was beginning to dominate the world of public discourse. 3. ja had concluded his work as minister to the French government, following the signing of the Treaty of Paris and the end of the war. In 1785 he took up the post of ambassador to Great Britain. ja would have liked Effingham to serve as ambassador to the United States, but the British government did not appoint anyone to that position until 1791. 71 to sarah sever [Sarah Sever (d. 1787), known affectionately as Sally, was mow’s niece and the daughter of William Sever, a classmate of jw’s at Harvard, and jw’s sister, Sarah Warren. The Severs lived in Kingston, Plymouth County.] 180  to sarah sever, may 1784 Milton May 2 1784 My Dear Sally, I yesterday received your friendly inquiries & least I should be prevented , I take up my pen this morning before I repair to public Worship (where I have not been since last Dec[?]) to make a reply. Your cousin, my amiable Charles, is & has been for ten or 12 days, remarkably better. He proposed yesterday after hearing yours to write you himself, but I thought he had better postpone the indulgence of his inclination to some future day. He loves & thanks you for all your attentions & wishes to see you. Flattering [?] disorder—it almost makes me hope against Reason—yet writing is impossible, yet the slow [??] of the hectic1 Time![?] seldom fails of making its wish seen. My Dear Winslow has been gone a week.2 The day of his return looks distant indeed to me, who measure time on its Declivity very differently from those who are ascending on his Wind expanded broad with the gales of hope. My Harry goes soon on a voyage, merely in pursuit of health. Heaven grant the Boon to the sprightly youth, & as he has the Dispotition, make him a Blessing to Mankind. Presumtuous women—how dare I call them mine—I will endeavour to consider them as a precious Loan—which the author has a right to [??]— You say nothing of Mamahs health, so conclude her well as usual. Wish she may be able to come to Milton, as I have little expectation of seing her any where else at least for some months. Sally, why do you not come? You know your friends & your aunt are always gratifyed by your visits, but you don’t believe I have special Reasons for wishing you to make me a visit.—indeed I have—I dare not tell you what, but you must come—shew this to your father & Mother. I charge you to do it & tell them if they do not convey you here very soon I shall not forgive them. I urge this on no narrow, selfish Motive, but because I love my Sally & wish her Happiness with the warmth of an Affectionate Friend M Warren to sarah sever, may 1784  181 [3...

Share