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CHAPTER II.

Politics - Separation from the Union-Navy-Southey-Count Rumford-Insurrection in Pennsylvania-Purposes of FranceIlluminati-Belsham-Community of Property-Fenelon.

1799, January 10. A letter from Mr. Shaw's mother. "You are now, my son, embarked on the wide ocean of life. Your passage cannot be pleasant nor useful, unless reason be your card and the Christian religion your pole star. This will insure you contentment through the rugged, devious voyage, and safely land you on a happier shore."

A long communication is received the 14th, from Channing. He laments the success of the French against the allies, and ably considers the question of a standing army. His own opinion is, that they had better be disbanded and reliance be placed upon the militia, if need required.

From the same, received 23d. "Did you but know the exquisite happiness which the handwriting of a friend affords me, now that I am so far from home, without one companion of my youth to cheer my social or share my gloomy hours, I am sure, that you would suatch a few moments from sleep or the round of amusements, to scribble me a

letter. You seem anxious to know how I am situated. Very happily, I assure you; as happily as I could be at such a distance from Newport. I have but ten scholars. I finish school before dinner, and all the rest of the day I spend as I choose. I am treated with every attention I can desire. I have a retired room for my study, a lovely plain to walk in; and you know, that under these circumstances, I cannot be miserable. I often look towards the North with a sigh, and think of the scenes I have left behind me. Society becomes more and more insipid. I am tired of the fashionable nonsense, which dins my ear in every circle. I am driven to my book and pen for relief and pleasure." Channing then enters on an eloquent argument as to the best method of improving the condition of our race. He dwells much on the idea of a community of property. At the close, he inquires, "Can we benefit the world? I am willing to sacrifice temporal interest and my brightest prospects" for such an object. With regard to the writers of some productions, he states: "The author of Curtius is James Thompson, of Petersburgh, Va. The author of the pamphlet on the alien and sedition laws, is Mr. Evans, a senator or representative in Congress."

On the subject which has been continually before the public, when the political pulse has beat feverishly, Channing writes, 24th, "You will see the spirit of the Virginia Legislature. There is no doubt that a separation from the Union is intended. Giles is very active and influential.”

Jan. 29. Shaw to Walter. "The long wished for dispatches are come. I hope this country will be wisely instructed by the fatal experience of every Republic in Europe, and listen to none of the overtures for peace, made by the French Directory.

"O Buckingham! beware of yonder dog.

Look;.

when he fawns, he bites; and when he bites, His venom tooth will rankle to the death."

Jan. 31. As a matter of interest, particularly to the medical profession, Dr. Thomas Welsh, of Boston, writes to Mr. Shaw: "I have sent by Dr. Bartlett the translation of the French dissertation on the late fever. Nancrede, you know, was the translator, but he does not think that he could undertake to print it; and has therefore handed it to me, that it may be forwarded to the gentleman who composed the original, that he may make such use of it as he may think proper. Mr. Brown, who keeps one of the public reading schools in this town, has lately written on the disease a sort of compilation, and I think it probable has made some use of this, as I understand Nancrede let him inspect it."

February 2. A reply of Mrs. Adams (at Quincy) to a description, which Mr. Shaw had given, of the proceedings at "the ball." In this she observed, as to the manners of those who attended, "I always despised the appellation, woman's man. To be a gallant, a man must have a little of the fop." She humorously remarked, as to the President's omission of franking a letter to her, "Though the President and I am one in the eye of the law

and the gospel, I believe Congress would question both of the authorities, and debate a month, if the question were put, Does the privilege of the President extend to his lady, and are letters to her and from her free of postage?"

Feb. 7. Walter's letter from New York. "I trust America is now fully acquainted with the designs of France, and will resent her threats with the spirit of freemen. England is putting forth the strong and hardy buds of national energy. If the other European powers will but assist her in the glorious work, the clay-built fabric of French despotism will fall to the ground. At the same time, I admire the firmness and decision of our Executive, and his clemency in saying, that he is ready to enter on negotiation as soon as the French are willing to send an envoy to this country."

"I

From Samuel B. Malcolm, of New York. had expected by this time, that the recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy would, if not wholly acquiesced in, at least have been agitated in the House. Convinced that ships are the natural, the most efficacious, and the least expensive defence of our country, I listen to every suggestion for its increase with satisfaction, though the army is no less an object of my devotion. The establishment of the latter is slow. The necessity of an effective force seems urgent, from the late measures of Virginia and Kentucky. All there is not well. The period of Northern and Southern separation will probably come. Still the evil day, I trust, is dis

tant.

The recall of our envoys to France, I rejoice to see accomplished."

Feb. 26. From W. E. Channing. "I am now totally immersed in literature. I have settled a course of reading for three years. I hope at the end of that time to have knowledge enough to enter on the world." He then gives a list of authors and adds, "Tell me what books must be added and what retrenched. What merit has Robertson's North America? Is he, like the sun, more majestic at his setting? What does Fenno's paper mean by talking so much about united Irishmen? Is there any serious apprehension of danger from them? You have probably heard that Giles has declared that he wishes a separation (of Virginia) from the Union."

March 7. Shaw in Philadelphia to Walter in New York. "I regret extremely that the majority against the repeal of the alien and sedition bills was so small as it was, three only. There is a class of men in this country possessing some public consequence, but entirely destitute of any moral principle, whose whole lives are spent in the prostitution of their talents to the perversion of their reason, whose unceasing endeavors are to mislead the public mind, to obstruct public business, and thus embarrass the operations of government. I have been led to these observations by the late conduct of the Virginians. They appear to bid defiance to all laws, human and divine. Some of them do not hesitate to avow, that they wish a separation of their State from the Union. The new loan was filled sooner

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