perceive, which raised the tides, but I hope, brought in a fresh and abundant supply of seaweed.

It is the dullest time we have seen this winter. No arrivals, no news from abroad, nor from any part of our own country. The treaty appears not, and when it will, no man can tell. Are we to wait here till May for it? I won't. There is not the smallest reason for my waiting. I can, in no possible case, have any voice in its ratification, as two thirds of the senators must agree. Nor will any opinion or reasoning of mine have the smallest weight with any one of the senators. If I were disposed to wait, how long must I wait? I am tired of reading and writing. My eyes complain; I want exercise; I must have my horse; and I must be at home. You say I must stay a few days at New York; but I shall be uneasy and impatient. No business, no books, no amusement, no society much suited to my taste. Good cheer is not enough for me. Balls, assemblies, hunting, are neither business, pleasure, nor diversion for me. What do you say, shall I resign my office when I am three-score, or will you come with me in a stage wagon, and lodge at a tavern in Fourth street? must contrive something new against next winter. The old routine grows too insipid.

I

I shall never be weary of my old wife, however; so declares

Your affectionate husband,

JOHN ADAMS.

LETTER CCXLVI.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

Philadelphia, 9 June, 1795.

THE Senate assembled yesterday at eleven, twentyfive members present.1 The new senators were sworn, and a committee waited on the President, who immediately sent a message with the treaty, which was read, together with part of a volume of negotiations which accompanied it. Mr. Butler and Mr. Green arrived last night, as I hear, so that we shall be very full.

I can form no conjecture of the time when the Senate will adjourn. The President and lady, and Miss Nelly, make many kind inquiries concerning you and Mrs. Smith, &c. &c.

Your curiosity, I doubt not, is all alive. But

This was a special meeting of the Senate, called for the purpose of acting upon Mr. Jay's treaty.

LETTER CCXLVII.

Philadelphia, 9 June, 1795.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

THE Senate are now in possession of the budget. It is a bone to gnaw for the aristocrats as well as the democrats, and while I am employed in attending the digestion of it, I send you enclosed an amusement which resembles it only in name. I can form no judgment when the process will be over. We must wait with patience.

I dined yesterday, in the family way, with the President. He told me that the American minister at the Hague had been very regular and intelligent in his correspondence. The whole family made the usual inquiries concerning you and sent you the usual compliments.

Be very careful, my dearest friend, of what you say, in that circle and city.' The times are perilous.

1 Mrs. Adams was in New York.

J. A.

LETTER CCXLVIII.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

Philadelphia, 14 June, 1795.

Ir is painful to feel an impulse to write where there is nothing to say. I write merely to let you know that I am alive and not sick. The weather has been cold for several days, which is more tolerable, at least to me, than the heat which we suffered for a day or two the beginning of the week past. The new French minister is arrived. Whether he has any budget to disclose has not yet appeared.

Mr. Jay is in fine spirits and his health improves. I should suppose he will remain here till the fate of his treaty is determined, which we hope, with some doubts however, will happen before the end of this week. Twenty-nine senators attended yesterday, and the thirtieth is expected to-morrow. We shall meet for the future at an earlier hour in the morning. The deliberations have been temperate, grave, decent and wise hitherto, and the results judicious. My absence from home at this season would be less distressing or rather less insipid, if my presence here was more necessary, or indeed of any utility, but to the mortification of separation from my family and affairs at a time when they would be most agreeable to me, is added the consciousness that I can do no good to others any more than to myself. I have no voice,

and although the fate of the treaty will not be justly imputable to me in any degree, yet there is reason to expect that many will suspect me and others charge me with a greater share of it than would belong to me if I had a voice. All these things terrify me lit

tle.

A Mr. Millar, a son of a Professor Millar of Glasgow, known by his "Historical view of the English Government" last night brought me a letter of introduction and recommendation from Dr. Kippis, who desires his "sincere respects to every part of my family." In the midst of the desolations of Europe, he "rejoices in the prosperity of America, and in the wisdom and moderation of its two chief Governors." So much for compliment. Moderation, however, is approved only by the moderate, who are commonly but a few. The many commonly delight in something more piquant and lively. I am, with desires rather immoderate to be going home with you, Your's forever,

J. A.

Monday, 15 June, 1795.

Yesterday I dined at Mr. Bingham's with a large company. While at table a servant came to me with a message from Mr. Law, who desired to speak with me in the anti-chamber. I went out to him and found that he wanted to enquire of me concerning a young lady of amiable manners and elegant education, whom Mr. Law and Mr. Greenleaf had found