I had yours by Coll Palfry last night.1 General Green is just taking his Departure so that I can, only write you a Line.

I blame you not for determining either to rise at the Bar or in the Army. I wish you to rise in both.

It is a critical, and delicate Thing to give Advice to our best 132Friends, and therefore I hope you will pay no more Attention to any that I may give you, than just to weigh it and then follow your own Inclinations.

As a Lt Coll of Artillery, you will be in the Road to Promotion, and will have an Opportunity of becoming great in the Art of War. You will not be obliged to give up your Rank or Pretensions at the Bar. This War will not last seven Years—and if it should as long as that, you may shine at the Bar afterwards, as bright as if you had never been in the Army, and brighter too. A Military Character formed early in Life, and united to the Character of a Lawyer a statesman and Civilian, will not fail in the future Circumstances of America to make a great Man.

Crane is a brave Man, and in my Opinion it will do you honour to get the better of certain Delicacies so far as to Serve under him.

As an Officer of Artillery, you will naturally get acquainted with those sciences, which are most Usefull in War—and I doubt not you will soon distinguish yourself, so as to merit Promotions.

The Branch of ordnance is most wanted in America and therefore affords the fairest opportunity of doing good and acquiring Fame.

It is not unlikely that the Pay of the Advocate may be raised but I can promise nothing, nor can I prophesy.2

I expected some how or other to have had the happiness of falling into your company when you was last in this State, but was disappointed. I have had the pleasure of hearing that you and your fellow traveller1 had joined the Congress, and further of the Congress's having got back to Philadelphia, where I hope they will be suffered to remain in peace and quietness. All things considered, and I judge the situation of our public affairs 133better than about this time twelve month. The crisis I apprehend is past; I am so in the opinion of our getting safe into Port, that I am collecting materials for an history of the rise progress and successful issue of the American revolution.2 His Excellency Genl. Washington has promised me his assistance. Others have done the same. Have wrote to Dr. Price and Mrs. Macaulay for theirs. Flatter myself that you and the other gentlemen of the Congress will be alike gracious, and that thro' their countenance and help I shall obtain that certain intelligence that may not be easily gained in any other way.

Great minds are not so easily elated with commendations as little ones, or I should be afraid to write you what a correspondent says—“I never shall think we shall finally fail of success while heaven continues to the congress the life and abilities of Mr. John Adams. He is equal to the controversy in all its stages. He stood upon the shoulders of the whole congress when reconciliation was the wish of All America. He was equally conspicuous in cutting the knot which tied the colonies to Great Britain. In a word I deliver to you the opinion of every man in the house when I add, that he possesses the clearest head and firmest heart of any man in the congress.”3 It is enough to make you tremble to think from hence what must be the expectations of all from you, and in what manner you must exert yourself that you may answer them, the Lord help you to do it!

The necessity of our college affairs has obliged the board of Overseers to advise the corporation to chuse a treasurer that shall constantly reside in the State. I believe they all without exception thought that the Honle. Mr. Hancock expressed himself in some of his letters to the corporation with too great asperity; and that they should have been treated rather with more decency had not Mr. Hancock been warmed by mistaking the propriety of their proceedings: however they professed the highest regards for him and took care so to word their vote as that he should not be reflected upon.4 You will make a prudent use of this early information, so as to guard Mr. H. against shewing any intemperate heat to the hurt of his character.

Mr. Hastings our post master desired me when I wrote to you, to mention that the duties of the office require constant attendance, and that he or his servant are obliged to be continually present. This indeed you must be sensible of; but he is a worthy young gentlemen and I could not omit obliging him.

My respects to all my friends in g whether in or out of Congress, but to the Bay delegates in particular. Your sincere friend