The Writings of Samuel Adams - Volume 4 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 396 pages of information about The Writings of Samuel Adams.

The Writings of Samuel Adams - Volume 4 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 396 pages of information about The Writings of Samuel Adams.
Attention of his Readers from the proper Point.  I will mention an Instance.  After he had provd to the Satisfaction of every one, that the Cannon & Stores forwarded to America by Mr Deane, had been negociated by Mary Johnson & Beaumarchais before his Arrival in France, and consequently that the Merit of the Negociation did not belong to Mr Dean, what Necessity was there for Common Sense to mention them as a Present?  It was nothing to his purpose; and it was too delicate a Subject for him to touch upon, or to attempt to prove if it had been true.  His prudence therefore and even his Veracity was called in Question by his Adversaries, and his Authority & Influence as a Writer of facts lessend.  The faithful Historian however, will hereafter unfold the secret Politicks of the present Day.  The Newspaper Writings of these two Men, have drawn not only the Conduct but the Characters of others into Dispute.  Had Mr Dean been only called upon explicitly to state his Charges, if he had any, against Dr Lee, I believe he would not have attempted it, and a Scrutiny of any Mans Character but his own would have been unnecessary.  Although he has insinuated many things against the Doctor, & steppd aside from the Line of Propriety & Decency to bring in Invective, yet I do not recollect that he has explicitly criminated him in either, nor do I believe it is in his Power.  If no one steps forward to accuse him, why should his Integrity be doubted?  Why should you, my Friend, express yourself in so languid a Tone, “I cant yet but have a great opinion of Dr Lee,” and “rather than the Cause of America should be betrayd I would give up the dearest Connections I have on Earth.”  Has Dr Lee forfeited the good opinion you “always had” of him?  Do you doubt his Integrity & Attachment to the Cause of America?  Has any one chargd him with Mal Conduct?  Shall the mere Insinuations & angry Reflections of a disappointed Man lessen your good opinion of one whom you know to have been, early, decided, active, persevering and inflexible in the Cause of America?  If this should be the prevailing Disposition, what honest Man will be safe?  The consistent Patriot, after having endurd Fatigue & Danger for the Establishment of publick Liberty, would find himself still in the greatest Perils among his own Countrymen.  I will say nothing decisively of Mr Dean at present; but I would assure you of one thing, that were I connected with Dr Lee as a publick Man, and conscious of my own Tardiness, I should think I had every thing to apprehend, not from a peevish, fretful Temper with which interrested Men have attempted to stigmatize him, but from his stern Virtue and Republican Jealousy.  I may be partial to Dr Lee.  I confess I feel the strongest Obligation to him, for the eminent Services he renderd to America when he was in England, and to the Massachusetts Bay in particular.  I hope my Countrymen are not all ungrateful.  Some of them, I have been taught to believe are so; otherwise the publick Character
Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Writings of Samuel Adams - Volume 4 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.