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91. To Winslow Warren, May 22, 1791
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91 to winslow warren Plimouth May 22 1791 My Dear Son, We have not a word from you since the 15th instant. Robbins is just arrived by whom I hoped to heave heard, though perhaps had you have written you could not have given much consolation to one “whom the Lord hath called as a woman forsaken & grieved in spirit afflicted, tossed with tempest & not comforted.”1 The great mr Otis used often to say that in his deepest affliction he could always open to something in the sacred pages adapted to the particular exigence & that seemed to be spoken to his soul: I have often thought of the observation & often have derived comfort from the same source, but was never more forcefully affected than with the passage transcribed above; when I found it immediately, followed by this: “thy children shall be all taught of the lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children.”2 In this hope I will compose my own soul, but with what language shall I give comfort to yours in this hour of adversity, or have you firmness suf- ficient to smile at the wayward strokes that are usually called the frolics of Fortune and wait with becoming fortitude till her capricious hand shall beckon you to her flowery feilds? I am persuaded the tide will set in your favour ere long: my greatest apprehention at present is that your confinement & perhaps your anxiety may injure your health, but when I count up the days & the hours, I take courage that more than a fourth part of the time is already elapsed when the time you seem to be sure of relief will arrive, but I think your sufferings will be melliorated before the 20th of june. It is the opinion of every one I have heard mention it that the court will take up your case as soon as they must. If they do nothing it will be a tacit but shameful relinquishment of all claims to act independently on the General Goverment, though it may involve the citizens of the state in endless thraldom. I feel very impatient to be with you. I have much to say that I cannot write & have a thousand sentiments of Resentment & indignation that I dare not express. Why did you leave sullivan? Is he not your friend, or did you feel a want of confidence in his advice? 228 to winslow warren, may 1791 I suppose your Brother has not yet arrived or we should have heard from you by the several persons who got here from Boston within the two last days. This is to go by Sprat[?] the cariage driver with whom I do not know but I should have taken passage to morrow had you not intimated that you did not wish it untill after the 28th of june.3 What if I should send by him a few cakes? Would you laugh at trivial presents? No, you will you say my mamah thinks I have every thing I need to eat or to drink except some little matter that no one but a mother would think off. Indeed I taste nothing but I wish you a partaker nor are you a single moment from my mind. It has been a considerable tryal the week past to exert that due degree of equanimity which I know is expected from me. I could not intirely seclude myself from company as I wished & have reason to suppose my conduct on this occassion has fell under the observation & been frequently the discussion of Friends & Foes. But though painful to me to go through the honours of the table your father thought it best to ask the gentlemen of the supreme Court to dine with us. We had them yesterday with some other company, and they appeared really gratified by this mark of attention. I believe it was quite right—but am glad to be still this day & to have no matters of Etiquette to regulate the ensuing week. Your father has not wrote nor does he often speak. I need not point you to the subjects of his contemplation. You know us both too well. You have observed his feelings as a father & you know the tenderness of your Mother, M Warren P.S. Your father has just written. He laughs at me for the Idea of sending cakes to you but if it would make you smile, it would be gratification enough to me whether you eat them...