Falmouth, 7 July, 1774.
Have you seen a list of the addressers of the late Governor?1
There is one abroad, with the character, profession, or occupation of each
person against his name. I have never seen it, but Judge Brown says against the
name of Andrew Faneuil Phillips is “Nothing.” And that Andrew, when he first
heard of it, said, “Better be nothing with one side than everything with the
other.”
This was witty and smart, whether Andrew said it or what is
more likely, it was made for him. A notion prevails among all parties that it
is politest and genteelest to be on the side of administration; that the better
sort, the wiser few, are on one side, and that the multitude, the vulgar, the
herd, the rabble, the mob only, are on the other. So difficult is it for the
frail, feeble mind of man to shake itself loose from all prejudice and habits.
However, Andrew or his prompter is perfectly right in his judgment, and will
finally be proved to be, so that the lowest on the Tory scale will make it more
for his interest than the highest on the Whiggish. And as long as a man adheres
immovably to his own interest and has understanding or lucky enough to secure
and promote it, he will have the character of a man of sense, and will be
respected by a selfish world. I know of no better reason for it than this, that
most men are conscious that they aim at their own interest only, and that if
they fail it is owing to short sight or ill luck, and therefore they can't
blame, but secretly applaud, admire, and sometimes envy those whose capacities
have proved greater and fortunes more prosperous.
I am engaged in a famous cause, — the cause of King, of
Scarborough, versus a mob that broke into his house and rifled his
papers and terrified him, his wife, children and servants in the night. The
terror and distress, the distraction and horror of his family cannot be
described by words or painted upon canvas. It is enough to move a statue, to
melt a heart of stone, to read the story. A mind susceptible of the feelings of
humanity, a heart which can be touched with sensibility for human misery and
wretchedness, must reluct, must burn with resentment and indignation at such
outrageous injuries. These private mobs I do and will detest.2 If
popular commotions can be justified in opposition to attacks upon the
Constitution, it can be only when fundamentals are invaded, nor then unless for
absolute necessity, and with great caution. But these tarrings and featherings,
this breaking open houses by rude and insolent rabble in resentment for private
wrongs, or in pursuance of private prejudices and passions, must be
discountenanced. It cannot be even excused upon any principle which can be
entertained by a good citizen, a worthy member of society.
Dined with Mr. Collector Francis Waldo,3 Esquire,
in company with Mr. Winthrop, the two Quincys, and the two Sullivans, all very
social and cheerful — full of politics. S. Quincy's tongue ran as fast as
anybody's. He was clear in it, that the House of Commons had no right to take
money out of our pockets more than any foreign state; repeated large paragraphs
from a publication of Mr. Burke's in 1766, and large paragraphs from Junius
Americanus, etc. This is to talk and to shine before persons who have no
capacity of judging, and who do not know that he is ignorant of every rope in
the ship.4
I shan't be able to get away till next week. I am concerned
only in two or three cases, and none of them are come on yet. Such an Eastern
circuit I never made. I shall bring home as much as I brought from home, I
hope, and not much more, I fear. I go mourning in my heart all the day long,
though I say nothing. I am melancholy for the public and anxious for my family.
As for myself, a frock and trousers, a hoe and a spade would do for my
remaining days.
For God's sake make your children hardy, active, and industrious;
for strength, activity and industry will be their only resource and
dependence.
_______________
1 There were addresses presented to the new
Governor, Gage, on his arrival, which was noticed with much pomp. He landed at
the end of Long Wharf, and was escorted by the Council and Magistracy, the
troops, and the Cadets, to the State House, where a public dinner was given to
him.
But the addresses referred to here were made to the
out-going Governor, Hutchinson, who was about to embark on that expedition to
the mother country intended only as a visit, but which proved a final exile.
One hundred and twenty-three of the merchants and traders, twenty-four members
of the bar, and all of the Episcopal ministers and wardens in Boston signed
these papers. These lists embraced a considerable part of the gentlemen of
property and standing, who give the tone to society, even when they fail to
affect popular opinion.
2 Richard King was a successful merchant at
Scarborough, with leaning towards the Government, to whom many people had
become indebted beyond their ability to pay. Taking advantage of the disorders
occasioned by the passage of the Stamp Act, a party, disguised as Indians, on
the night of the 16th of March, 1766, broke into his store and his
dwelling-house also, and destroyed all his books and papers containing evidence
of debts. Not content with this, they laid waste his property and threatened
his life if he should venture to seek any legal mode of redress. Many of the
perpetrators were, however, detected and brought to justice. This suit seems to
have been one of the consequences.
The popular bitterness thus engendered had not, however, subsided,
at the date of this letter, and the slight incident occurred which soon caused
it once more to break out. A vessel of Mr. King's was found to have delivered a
load of lumber in Boston by special license, after the port had been closed,
and the materials had been purchased for the use of the troops. On this
occasion forty men from the neighboring town of Gorham came over and compelled
Mr. King in fear of his life to make a disavowal of his opinions.
These repeated shocks seem to have been too much for Mr.
King's constitution. He became distempered in mind, and died in the following
March.
3 Mr. Waldo had ceased to be Collector at the
date of this letter. But he adhered to the royal cause, and as a consequence
became an exile the next year. His estate was confiscated, and he died in
London in 1782.
4 This judgment appears from subsequent events,
to have been well founded. For Mr. Quincy when put to the test showed no
confidence in the correctness of his reasoning. He took office under the crown,
and in less than two years after the date of this letter left the country as an
exile. He died in the island of Antigua in 1789.
SOURCE: Charles Francis Adams, Familiar Letters of
John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams, During the Revolution, p. 18-21
