James Lovell to Abigail Adams, October 9, 1781

Philada. Octr. 9th [ , Start insertion, 1781 , End, ]

Yesterday’s Post brought me your Favour of Sepr. 26th. 1 Your dear Boy Charles should most certainly have had half of the Bed
of one of his Father’s devoted Friends here, if the Winds had so
directed the Ship’s Course in which he is a Passenger; but I am told she is arrived at
Falmouth in Casco Bay. I wish you an happy Meeting with him. I shall be rejoyced to find that
the Voyage has been beneficial to his Constitution.

I have already given you the dates of Mr. A’s Letters which came by Newman: viz. May 16. July 11. 14. 15. Aug. 3d. 2 In the 1st he says

“This Country is indeed in a melancholy Situation — sunk in Ease, devoted to the Pursuits of
Gain, over-shadowed on all sides by more powerful Neighbours, unanimated by a Love of military
Glory or any aspiring spirit, feeling little Enthusiasm for the Public, terrified at the Loss
of an old Friend and equally terrified at the Prospect of being obliged to form Connexions
with a new one, encumbered with a complicated and perplexed Constitution, divided among
themselves in Interest and Sentiment, they seem afraid of every Thing. Success on the Part of
France, Spain, and especially of America raises their Spirits and advances the Good Cause some
what; but Reverses seem to sink them much more.” He adds “The War has occasioned such a
Stagnation of Business and thrown such Numbers of People out of Employment that I think it is
impossible Things should remain long in the present insipid state. One System or another will
be pursued. One Party or another will prevail; much will depend on the Events of the War. We
have one Security, and I fear but one; and that is the domineering Character of the English
who will make Peace with the Republic upon no other Terms than her joining them against all
their Enemies in the War; and This, I think, it is impossible she ever should do.”

It is to be hoped that the Events of this Campaign will be such as to influence Holland and
even Britain to do us Justice. There has been a most severe Engagement on the 8th. of Sepr. in
South Carolina. 3 I think I shall be able to send a
printed account to Boston by the Bearer of this. It has been spoken of, here for some days;
and this Evening Gen. Green’s Thanks to his Army are brought to Philada. by a Gentleman of
good Character. It is said the Enemy are Sufferers to the Amount of 1100 and our Army to 500.
These Numbers being for killed, wounded and missing.—In Virginia Things are proceeding surely
and faster than we had a Right to expect.

I have been chagrined about your Goods the last Week. I hoped to send them by two different
Opportunities being promised a Chance. I weighed them and bound the heaviest with Iron Hoops
ready for loading, but the Waggoners could not take the Charge. I cannot without great Trouble
and Injury to the Chest take out the white BroadCloth. I will double my Diligence to send the
Whole.

Your Attentions to Mrs. Lovell prejudice me so much in your Favour that I can let you call
me “queer” or any Thing else that hits your Fancy, provided always that you do not call or
even think me deceitful when I
profess myself with affectionate Respect Madam your Friend & humble Servant,

JL

Perhaps after my Profession of Respect it will [be] incongruous to hint
that you also Madam are a “queer Being.” I verily believe you would be willing to hear any
one call your best Friend, “old Darby,” rather than to hear it said he appears lively as
Chesterfield. You talk of your Philosopher and his Dame. Why, Nothing was farther from my Intention than your
sprightly Husband when I wrote of your Philosopher. No, No, he
is too modern to be adduced in the Reasoning I sent you. It was your “Antient,” Ma’am, that
had been held up to me as a Pattern, That Wiseacre, who, “had he lived in the House or
Family” &c. &c.

Take the Song of Darby and Joan in Hand and stand before your looking Glass to find the
Resemblance;—a pretty Dame Adams indeed! 4

You “did not misapply Cornelia for Portia.” But, you did, most assuredly. “There was no
Fiction in the Story.” “The Dialogue really existed as related.” I supposed so; and therefore
all the little malicious Things I have written were intended [for] Cornelia
and not for Portia.