1775.] TO JOHN BARTRAM, 463 



can tend more to corrupt the youth, than these dissipating 

 pleasures. 



* Thy obliged and sincere friend, 



Js. Freeman. 



London, 7 mo., loth, 177"). 



Dear Friend : 



I think myself obliged to thee for thy kind intelligence, though 

 at the same time exceeding sorry, from humanity as well as interest, 

 that a civil war has taken place, and great effusion of blood 

 already been the consequence. 



Penn is just come over, 'tis conjectured, with some kind of 

 offers from the Congress. If they are any ways concessory, so 

 that the grand point in question, the right of taxation, be settled 

 in your favour, we hope the King, whose benevolence has been 

 exhibited in many cases, and who, I am persuaded, feels deeply for 

 his subjects who fell lately near Boston, and thereby occasioned 

 great distress to many worthy families, would, if possible, sheath 

 the sword ; to which, I have also heard, his servants are not 

 averse, but that some concession must first come from you. This 

 is the point of honour they stick on. Yet still, I think, in every 

 private society, if the first man among them commits an error, 

 which renders him obnoxious to his inferiors, when he becomes 

 convinced, if but in part, of his mistake, the acknowledgment and 

 concession to his inferiors ennobles him the more in their view. 

 Why not so in a monarch and his ministers ? That a speedy issue 

 to our troubles may be the result of your deliberations, and ours, 

 both sides being open to conviction, is the best wish of thy 

 affectionate 



J. Freeman. 



I think, when I wrote last, <296. 5s. lOd. was the balance in thy 

 favour ; since which, having received 25 Lady Day last, the 

 balance is increased to 321. 5s. lOd. 



Dr. F. is well, and desires his love. 



