ever will
be slaves. At present, we have an insolent soldiery walking our
streets, challenging and provoking the people. We are treated as if
under military law. The quiet of the Sabbath is broken by the rattling
of drums and the shrill notes of the fife. The soldiers become
intoxicated, and are ready to pick a quarrel with the town's-people.
No lady can appear on the street unaccompanied by a gentleman without
danger of being insulted. I expect that collisions will occur between
the troops and people, and that sooner or later blood will be shed.
You can say to your father that I have just received a letter from
Colonel George Washington of Virginia, who took command of the troops
after the wounding of General Braddock in the battle near Fort Du
Quesne. He agrees with me that there must be united action on the part
of the Colonies, and that we shall be warranted in using arms if we
cannot secure our liberties in any other way. Of course, we shall not
bring every one to stand up for the rights and liberties of the
Colonies. Those who in any way are connected with the crown--the
Custom House officials and their friends who are in receipt of
salaries and perquisites--will support whatever measures the ministry
may propose. Then there are many gentlemen who naturally will maintain
their allegiance to the king, who think that an existing government,
no matter how unjust and tyrannical it may be, stands for law and
order, and that to resist it in any way leads to revolution. Some of
my old-time friends are siding with the ministry. They think we ought
not to complain of so small a matter as paying a tax of three pence
per pound on tea. They lose sight of the great principle that taxation
in any form without representation in Parliament is tyranny. We might
willingly consent to pay it had we a voice in making it, but we will
not consent to be taxed without such a voice. I am pleased, Mr.
Walden, to have had this little conversation with you. I rely upon the
young men of the country to stand resolutely for what is just and
right, and I am equally sure," he said, turning to Berinthia, "that
the young women will give all their influence to sustain the young
men. Mrs. Adams is just as ready as I am to quit drinking tea, because
by so doing she manifests her fealty to a great principle; if the
mothers are ready to make sacrifices, I am sure the daughters will be
equally ready."

The conversation of Mr. Adams was very attractive, h