A part of your letter, you tell me, is confidential.  I always keep the secrets of my friends when I can do it honestly, though I confess I do not like to be encumbered with them.  In this instance I will be your confidant.  But let me ask you, can a difference between Mr. -------- and me, either real or imaginary, be of any consequence to the world?  I think not.  Tories, you say, triumph.  They may make sport of it; but indeed, my friend, it is too unimportant a matter for a sensible Whig to weep and break his heart about.  I am desirous of making you easy; and I do assure you that, so far from brooding in my heart an unfriendly disposition towards that man, I seldom think of him, unless I happen to take up a Boston newspaper or hear his name mentioned in chit-chat conversation.  You call upon me by all that is sacred to forgive him.  Do you think he has injured me?  If he has, should he not ask for forgiveness?  No man ever found me inexorable.  I do not wish him to ask me to forgive him; this would be too humiliating.  If he is conscious of having done or designed me an injury, let him do so no more, and I will promise to forgive and forget him too; or, I would add, to do him all the service in my power.  But this is needless; it is not in my power to serve him.  He is above it.

If you wish to know the foundation of this wonderful collision, ask my friend J. W., or another, whom you properly call my closest friend.  To them I have related the trifling tale, and they can repeat it to you.

The precepts and examples you refer me to I shall always reverence most highly.

I am, with unfeigned sincerity,

Your obliged and affectionate friend,

TO JAMES WARREN.

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

Philada Novr 3 1778

MY DEAR SIR

In your last you ask me what we are doing?  Many Things indeed.  And if you will suppose some things to be done well, I will frankly confess to you that in my opinion others might have been done better.  I think we do as well as we can considering the Pile of Business every Morning laid on our table.  In order that the Affairs of the Treasury may be better attended than they possibly can be by Members of Congress who are obliged to give their Attendance in the House we have establishd a new Board to consist of a Treasurer Comptroller Auditor & two Chambers of Accots of three each.  These officers are all chosen from without Doors.  We are taking Measures for the Appretiation of the Currency.  Every Adept in financiering is busily employd and I hope we shall before long agree in an effectual Plan.  We have appointed Dr F. Minister Plenipo. at Versailes & written a Letter of Credence to our good & great Ally.  The Situation of the general Affairs of Europe render it somewhat difficult to determine to which of the other Powers