for the County.  I am affraid the Citizens are not so vigilant as they used and ought still to be.  It was given out at the Moment of Election that he intended to withdraw himself from the Society.  If he does, it may weaken their Influence—­if not, he will probably destroy his own.  You have doubtless seen the Sentiments of the General Court of the Order.  The Reprobating Speech of the Governor of So Carolina has been publishd in our papers.

I had the Pleasure of receiving by the same Post your several Letters of the 15th, 20th and 24th Ulto.  If I have a Seat in the General Court the ensuing year, (which is uncertain) I shall (tho very reluctantly) communicate your Intention to leave Congress, unless you will gratify the earnest Wishes of your Friends by altering your Determination.  I assure you there is no Friend to our Country within my Circle who is not anxiously solicitous for your continuing there longer.  I was in hopes when you was prevailed upon again to take a Seat you would have held it at least two years.  Let me entreat you to release me from the obligation of complying with your Request.

I have written so much in Spite of my trembling hand, concerning the Cini, that I can at present only fulfill a Promise I gave our Navy officers, to inclose their Petition to Congress and to beg your Patronage of it.  They appear to me to be injurd or at least neglected Men.  It is certainly high time they should receive their Prize Money and Assurances of their Pay.  I will write you by Mr Lowell (who sets off for Phila in a few Days & intends making you a Visit) or by the Post speedily.  Mrs A desires her Complts

Adieu my Friend,

TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.

[Ms., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library; a text with modifications is in J. T. Austin, Life of Elbridge Gerry, vol. i., pp. 424-427.]

Boston April 23 1784

My dear sir,

Mr Lowel thinks he shall not be able to make you a Visit at Annapolis as he intended, so I have not written by him.  Is the Court of Appeals1 of which he is a Member to continue now the War is over?  I should think it a needless Expence.  If ever there should be Occasion for it, a new Court might at any time be constituted.  I observe by the inclosd, that the Cincinnati in Congress assembled are to meet at Philadelphia on the 5th of May & that General Washington is to preside.  That Gentleman has an idea of the Nature & Tendency of the Order very different from mine, otherwise I am certain he would never have given it his Sanction.  I look upon it to be as rapid a Stride towards an hereditary Military Nobility as was ever made in so short a Time.  My Fears may be ill grounded, but if they are not, it is impossible for me not to think it a very great Misfortune to these States that he is a Member; for the Reputation he has justly acquired by his Conduct while Commander