have the remotest Reference in what I now say, jealous as I allow my self to be, to the Amphictyon of the United States of America.  It is presumd they will always have too high a Sense of their Dignity to suffer themselves & their Nation to be degraded.  But when Peace is happily settled & a Number of foreign Ministers are about our Court, it will require Men of great Knowledge of the World & Experience in Affairs to penetrate their various Intrigues.  I have been assured that the Court of France would be highly disgusted with any of its Ministers if they should improperly interfere in our Councils; and indeed when I consider the Jealousy of a rising Republick, I think nothing would equal the Impolicy of their attempting it, but the Imprudence of Congress in submitting to it. ——­ But I am unexpectedly called off and Mr Otis is just going.  I intended to have written to you largely but must omit it till the next opportunity.  Pray inform my worthy Friend Capt Bradford that I must also omit writing to him, as I intended, for the same Reason.

your affectionate,

To Mrs. Adams.

[Ms., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

Philade Feb. 1st 1781

MY DEAR BETSY

My last was by Major Clarkson.  He is a young officer of military Merit. 
I wish you would entertain him with a Dish of Tea.

Our new AEra of Government, I fancy, has occasiond a Revolution in political Circles & a Change of Connections.  I cannot otherwise account for the long Silence of my Friend Doctor Cooper.  I used to correspond with him very confidentially.  We indeed thought aloud together.  But I have receivd only one Letter from him since I left Boston, which was deliverd to me by Mr A Lee.  I considerd it as a Compliment to that most deserving Patriot, rather than a Letter of Friendship to me.  I have written several Times to him, & once desired particular Information, which he might have given me without offending any Man, but he has not done it.  I hope the Doctor does not think his Letters troublesome to me.  He has no Reason to think so.  But, he chuses to close the Correspondence, & you know, that I am disposd on such Occasions, to retaliate.  It sometimes affects my Feelings, but I shall never be in Debt on that Score.  You may let the Dr read this Letter if he pleases, but no other Person; for when I think amiss of the private Conduct of a Friend, I let none know it, but him & you.  Indeed I shall say nothing to you at present that I would not wish him to know.  I employ no Pimps or Spies on my Fellow Citizens, & yet I hear of many things that are said & done in Boston.  I may sometimes be misinformd, & I am always inclind to think I am, when I cannot reconcile what is said with the Honor & Integrity of Friendship.  If Mr W C1 has “spoken very disrespectfully” of me, I am sorry for him.  It gives me no Pain on my Account because I deserve not his reproach.