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who has contemplated so imperfect a thing as Human Nature—both in its pleasing and grotesque, its absurd & its insinuating Forms, as many years as has your assured Friend & Humble Servant— M. Warren mwp2, draft 1. ww, who returned from Portugal to the United States in November 1785. Curiously, mow does not mention the other big event in her life, the death of Charles, which she must have known about by the date of this letter. 2. Gerry married Ann Thompson in 1786, a person who was then unknown to mow but whom she came to know later. 82 to catharine sawbridge macaulay graham Milton [September?] 1786 It is long, very long, my dear madam since the social intercourse that has given me so much pleasure has been suspended; but not from any neglect or a want of regard on either side. I speak from the feelings of my own heart; and I think I can answer for those of my friend, that the lamp of esteem burns as ardent as ever;—but, alas! the distance and the difficulty of communication! this checks my pen, while I hope yours is employed to give pleasure and instruction to mankind. I congratulate you that you have safely arrived on your beloved Island after a long and hazardous voyage across the Atlantic: a journey through the greatest part of America: and since that the fatigues of a tour through a considerable part of France. Such a length of time elapsed before I had the pleasure of a line, that I began to apprehend some misfortune had taken place; for I could not suspect that though you had bid adieu to these distant shores, you had taken a final leave of all you had gratified by your visit here. I do not wonder that a mind formed like yours, glowing with the love of freedom and independence, should risk the danger of crossing the seas with the hope of seeing the system of virtue and liberty, the Idol of political and philosophical writers of former ages realized in modern times. But 208  to catharine macaulay graham, sept. 1786 methinks I hear you cry, Alas! for human nature! as face answers to face so does the character of Nation to Nation: at least so far as a simularity of circumstances puts it in the power of the governed to enjoy quietly the luxuries of life or the Governors to prevent the indulgence by the abuse of power. Yet notwithstanding you acknowledge your disappointment and think our practice does not comport with the principles professed and inculcated in the day of our distress, I do not despair of America. Though her native propensities to folly are strengthened and the seeds of every foreign vice have taken deep root—yet she may long retain a greater share of simplicity, virtue, and freedom, than perhaps can be found in almost any other part of the civilized world. This may justly be attributed more to her local situation and the incapacity for splendid indulgence from the general equality of fortune, than from superior policy or moderation. You have doubtless been informed of the tumults that have lately taken place in some of our Counties: they have risen to insurrections at which our enemies rejoice: and our friends tremble. We have indeed been much alarmed at the appearances of discontent, disorder, and riot; the people now feel the burthen of the late war and the pressure of their public and private debts, heightened by the injudicious conduct of some in power both in the legislative and executive departments; who feel little for the lower classes of the people; who though complaining of grievances seem not to be sensible from what causes they arrive. But we hope that these disorders will soon be suppressed, and a due subordination will appear on the one side: and lenity and justice on the other: that energy and wisdom will go hand in hand and maintain peace, order, and independence to each of the states in the union: but these things will undoubtably be improved by certain characters and descriptions of men to strengthen the hand of power and draw tight the reins of government. Yours Affectionately M Warren mwp1 to catharine macaulay graham, sept. 1786  209 ...

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