The Old Debtors to British subjects, united with the over Zealous Friends of France and the Democratical societies of our principal Cities, are urging a sequestration of Things in Action: and as I know you are not inattentive to any question of public Law, I have inclosed you some minutes of Authorities and I wish you to look into all others relative to this subject. I have not Grotius here, who with his Commentators Barbeyrac and Rutherford are Said to hold Actions and Debita among the Property liable to Confiscation in time of War.1

I know not whether Rutherfords Institutes are in Boston or not: but he is Said to have discussed this question very well. He is a Commentator on Grotius.

The Examples adduced by Bynkershoek are all I think more than an hundred Years old: and Vattel represents the rigourous old Law of Nations to be now changed by general Consent in favour of Commerce.2

At least it cannot be considered as any Thing less than direct Hostility, and yet the motion is made and supported by Persons who unanimously declare themselves against War.

The very discussion of such a question I fear will disgrace Us, and diminish the Confidence of all Men in our Honour and public Faith.

This Country has been upon a Precipice. A few of Us have been Steady to Peace and Neutrality and We shill hope to avoid a fall. But there is so much more Prejudice than sense, Passion than Reason, and Cunning than Integrity, in Numbers that We shall be long in great danger. If the sound Part of the Community does not exert itself to support Us, they will have severe Cause of Regret, when it may be too late.

I am unhappy to be from home, this fine Spring but the ship is too leaky and the Weather too stormy, to allow of my Absence, how little soever I can do for the good of the Voyage.

I am my dear son your affectionate / Father

Your favour of the 28th. Ult. arrived this morning. before this time I hope you have received your furniture.

We are Still endeavouring to preserve Peace. But one moves a Series of commercial Regulations, another a Sequestration of Debts, a third to prohibit all Intercourse with Britain, a fourth to issue Letters of Mark against Algerines, all tending to excite suspicions in Britain that We are hostile to her and mean ultimately to join her Ennemies. One firebrand is scarcely quenched before another is thrown in: and if the sound Part of the Community is not uncommonly active and attentive to Support Us We shall be draw off from our Neutral Ground and involved in incomprehensible Evils.

In danger of a War, that will be unnecessary if not unjust; that has no public Object in View; that must be carried on with Allies the most dangerous that ever existed, my Situation is as disagreable as any I ever knew. I Should have no fear of an honest War, but a knavish one would fill me with disgust and Abhorrence.—

At nine o Clock at night I suppose your Election is over, and another fortnight will enable Us to guess whether An Adams or a Cushing is to be the great Man. Although the Old Gentlemans Conduct is not such as I can approve in many Things of late years, Yet I find it difficult to believe that the People of Massachusetts will forsake him in his last moments. Alass! his Grandeur must be of short duration if it ever commences. I Shall be happier at home, if Cushing Succeeds and the State I believe will be more prudently conducted.

The Fœderalists have ventured on a dangerous Manoeuvre. I am afraid the Delicacy which has usually attended Elections in New England, will be injured if not destroyed by these Elections of Governors and senators, so as to be never regained even in the Choice of Representatives. But We must fulfill our Destiny.— I am afraid I shall not see you till Election. I never longed more to be at home. Yours / most tenderly