Smith, Chief Justice Allen and his sons, Jared Ingersoll, and Peter Wycoff. His visit to Mr Dickinson is thus briefly communicated.

May 3d. The morning of this day spent in reading, and amusements of the itinerary kind. Dined with John Dickinson Esq. the celebrated Pennsylvania "Farmer," at his country seat, about two miles and a half from town. A large company were very elegantly entertained. This worthy and able politician (for such he is, though his views and disposition lead him to refuse the latter appellation) here enjoys "otium cum dignitate" as much as any man.' p. 133.

Mr Quincy would willingly have protracted his visit in Pennsylvania, but finding a friend from New England, who was returning home, and desirous of his company, he left Philadelphia on the 9th of May. The travellers passed rapidly through New Jersey. At New York he made but few observations. He mentions a visit to the theatre, an establishment then a novelty in this country. On the performance, and on the character and tendency of theatrical amusements, he has the following remarks.

May 11th. Breakfasted with Major Bayard; received a few complimentary visits, and an invitation to dine with Colonel William Bayard, at his seat in the country. Went to the theatre in the evening, saw the Gamester and the Padlock performed. The actors make but an indifferent figure in tragedy, a much better in comedy. Hallam has merit in every character he acts. I was, however, upon the whole, much amused; but as a citizen and friend to the morals and happiness of society, I should strive hard against the admission, and much more the establishment of a theatre, in any state of which I was a member.' pp. 138, 139.

The journal of this tour closes with these observations. 'What I have set down will be chiefly useful to myself. A bird of passage may easily collect, peradventure bear away, food for itself; but can transport on its fleeting tour very little, if anything, of sufficient solidity for the nourishment of others.

'Were I to lament anything, it would be the prevalent and extended ignorance of one colony of the concerns of another; were I to breathe a wish, it would be, that the numerous and surprisingly increasing inhabitants of this extensive and fertile continent, may be thoroughly attentive to, and suitably actuated by, the blessings of Providence, the dangers which surround them, and the duties they owe to God, themselves, and posterity.' pp. 140, 141.

Soon after Mr Quincy's return to Boston, a disclosure was made of the letters of Bernard, Hutchinson, and other crown officers, which had been transmitted from England by Dr Franklin. Mr Quincy partook, in full measure, of the indignant excitement produced by that communication, and wrote a series of essays on the subject, under the signature of 'Marchmont Nedham.' A paragraph from one of these essays is quoted in the Memoir, from which we may form a judgment of the style and temper of the whole. If to appear for my country is treason, and to arm for her defence is rebellion,-like my fathers, I will glory in the name of rebel and traitor,-as they did in that of puritan and enthusiast.'

An acquaintance which he had made with George Clymer, of Philadelphia, distinguished in the annals of his country for enlightened patriotism, sound judgment, and undeviating integrity, produced a letter from that gentleman (p. 144) on the politics of the day, in July, 1773, soon after a return from a visit to Boston, to which Mr Quincy replied in his characteristic manner.

In May, 1774, Mr Quincy published his chief political work,' Observations on the Act of Parliament commonly called the Boston Port Bill, with thoughts on Civil Society, and Standing Armies. It is a bold and spirited performance, exposing in strong and indignant language the threatened vengeance on the town of Boston; and on the concluding topics, Civil Society and Standing Armies, discovering most industrious research into various sources of information, historical, legal, or political, having a bearing on the subject; an extent of investigation not to have been expected in a sudden production, as he declares it to be, 'from one of infirm health, perplexed with various avocations.' It was dedicated to the Freeholders and Yeomanry of the Country. In you, Gentlemen,' said he, as the landed interest of the country, do I place my confidence, under God, at this day.' He did not live to witness the conflict, which, it is evident from his writings, he anticipated. When that serious crisis arrived, the freeholders and yeomanry of the country did not disappoint his expectations. When this work was advertised as being in the press, the author received an anonymous letter from the British Coffee House, in which he

was represented as being 'in imminent hazard of the loss of life and confiscation of estate.' 'There is,' said the writer, 'but one expedient left to save you-Employ, for God's sake, those rare talents with which he hath blessed you, in convincing the people, that they have nothing to do, but to submit, and make their peace with government. You may by this means, probably, make your peace, and ward off the punishment that hangs over your head.' To this address Mr Quincy thought it proper to pay more attention, than is usually given to anonymous communications. He immediately published a reply in the Massachusetts Gazette. 'The danger and the wrongs of my country,' said he, are to me equally apparent. In all my public exertions, I feel a sense of right and duty, that not only satisfies my conscience, but inspires my zeal. While I have this sentiment, I shall persevere, till my understanding is convinced of its error; a conviction that will not be wrought by the arm of power, or the hand of an assassin. Threats of impending danger, communicated by persons who conceal their name and character, ought never to deter from the path of duty; but exciting contempt rather than fear, they will determine a man of spirit to proceed with new vigor and energy, in his public conduct.'

Soon after the execution of the Port Bill had commenced, Mr Quincy received letters from Mr Clymer and Mr Dickinson, on the state of affairs, and communicating the feelings and opinions prevailing in Pennsylvania, and in other colonies, on the sufferings and proceedings of the Bostonians. The following is an extract of a letter from him to Mr Dickinson, dated Boston, August 20, 1774.

'At the urgent solicitation of a great number of warm friends to my country and myself, I have agreed to relinquish business, and embark for London, and shall sail in eighteen days certainly. I am flattered by those who perhaps place too great confidence in me, that I may do some good the ensuing winter, at the court of Great Britain. Hence I have taken this unexpected resolution. My design is to be kept as long secret as possible,-I hope till I get to Europe. Should it transpire that I was going home, our public enemies here would be as indefatigable and persevering to my injury, as they have been to the cause in which I am engaged, heart and hand; perhaps more so, as personal pique would be added to public malevolence.

'I would solicit, earnestly, intelligence from you, sir, while in London. I shall endeavor to procure the earliest information from all parts of the continent. As I propose dedicating myself wholly to the service of my country, I shall stand in need of the aid of every friend of America; and believe me, when I say, that I esteem none more capable of affording me that aid, than those who inhabit the fertile banks of the Delaware.' p. 173.

Mr Quincy's intention of a voyage to England, was communicated only to his relations and a few political friends. He embarked privately at Salem, on the 28th of September, 1774, carrying with him suitable letters of introduction to those characters, with whom he wished to become acquainted. The celebrated Congress of 1774 was then setting at Philadelphia. Samuel Adams and John Adams were members of that body. From John Adams he received an affectionate letter before his departure. Samuel Adams, in a letter to Rev. Dr Chauncy, observed, that Mr Quincy had informed him of his intended voyage. I am persuaded,' he adds, 'he may do great service there.' The particular objects in view do not appear to be specified. The plan was evidently urged by the political friends in whom he had most confidence. It was probably for the purpose of personally gaining and communicating such information, as could not prudently be communicated by letter, to counteract representations which might be made by governor Hutchinson and others, who had then recently repaired to England, and perhaps with the hope of some salutary impression on members of the government, or other men of influence, from one who had so many points of character to recommend him. He landed at Falmouth on the 8th of November, and made the following entry in the journal, which he began at the commencement of the voyage.

'Having reached the famous island of Great Britain, I am prone to contemplate the glorious deeds that have made it immortal,-but alas! my affections and my duty call me to consider the state of my native country.' p. 221.

On the same day he wrote to Mrs Quincy, concluding a letter which he had commenced some time previously at sea. To this lady almost all his letters written whilst in England, and which appear in the Memoir, are addressed. They are almost wholly on political topics, manifesting the interest taken by that intelligent lady in the high concerns, to which her

husband was devoted. They were designed also, as is often expressed, for communication to a circle of political friends. His health, we find by the first letters, was improved by the voyage, and he immediately engaged in active attention to every object of interest around him.

'November 9th. Proceeded from Falmouth to Bodmyn, twentytwo miles. Passed through the town of Pendryn, and several small villages. The roads hilly and good, affording agreeable riding, and delightful land prospects. The cultivation of the land can scarcely be realised by a mere American; it is to a wonderful perfection. The first reflection upon the immense labor that must be bestowed on these fields was, where the men lived, who did the work. Extensive fields, highly tilled, without a house. This was an object, which occurred almost every hour. The villages in which the laborers and peasantry chiefly reside, are built of small stones and clay, generally miserable accommodations for honest labor. The lower orders of people are servile in their obeisance, and despondent in their appearance.

'I could not help remarking, that if the little liberty diffused through Britain, could give such a beautiful face to nature, what would be the appearance, if there was as much general liberty, as was consistent with that fundamental principle of social policy, "the greatest happiness of the greatest number."

'November 11th. Though a very cold and stormy day, I viewed Plymouth Docks, and went on board and all over the Royal George, a first rate, pierced for two hundred and ten, and carrying two hundred guns. The ropewalks, buildings, armory, arsenal, naval and warlike stores, exceed the power of the human mind to conceive, that doth not actually behold.

'I will not attempt to describe what I could scarcely realise to be true, while I was actually viewing. My ideas of the riches and powers of this great nation are increased to a degree I should not have believed, if it had been predicted to me.

'I also saw many 64, 74, 80, and 100 gun ships; and went on board a loaded Indiaman just arrived; but this, being after viewing the preceding magnificence, did not much move me. The various materials, and the several degrees of building, from the laying of the keel, to the finishing an hundred gun ship, which were very carefully viewed by me, in several instances, excited an astonishment I never before experienced.' pp. 224-226.

The impressions of national strength, which the view of these and other specimens of power and magnificence pro