Thomas Boylston Adams to William Smith Shaw, March 1, 1799

[ 1 March 1799 ] 1

Dear William

I am now and then regaled with a few words from your store house,
spread over as many lines , which brings to my mind very
forcibly the words of Pope. “The weighty bullion” & ca: you know the rest. 2 As yet however I have
nothing directly from your hand. I have been playing truant ever since I arrived, and
begin to think it high time to attend my office more punctually.

We have had Balls and dinners & ca: in honor of Gen l Washington’s birth day. I was one of the
singing dancing, eating, drinking, smoaking & toasting multitude on the occasion,
and filled my character, I hope, with becoming zeal. You have doubtless somewhat of a
similar history to give of the proceedings at Philadelphia—other proceedings of an
opposite complexion are not wanting among you to fill the Chronicle of variety or scandal.

I am amused with Peter’s strictures upon the Report of a nomination to France— 3 M r: Pitt may dislike
the measure as much, though his practice has been very similar to it.

Our situation has been for a length of time, neither peace or war with France—so long as this continued, milk & water
must have have remained the complexion of all our proceedings— The Reptiles would not declare war as they ought, and the
President in consequence has declared peace, if it can be made. Some of us say, the
Senate will non-concur— I say they will concur.

I am with best remembrance to friends / your’s

T B A