A FRATERNIZATION WITH THE U.S. 



in regard that we cherished any relic associated 

 with him, even when it reminded us of an un- 

 fortunate episode in our nation's history. I 

 debated in my mind whether I would not spare 

 the letter itself, but I could not bring myself to 

 this sacrifice ; besides, as I speciously argued to 

 myself, my reluctance to part with the original 

 would be clear proof that we, in England, esteemed 

 any memento of so illustrious an American too 

 highly to let it go out of the country. So the 

 copy was sent with the Bath and West Society's 

 good wishes, and there came back a handsome 

 acknowledgment, a testimony to the interest it 

 was to the American Society, and an assurance 

 that it would be allotted a place among the 

 Society's archives. 



How little did any of us then think that a 

 few years afterwards England would have joined 

 with America in celebrating " Independence Day v 

 in a spirit of organized and genuine rejoicing. 



My readers may, perhaps, care to know how 

 the letter came into my possession, and it was in 

 this wise. Some years ago, on collecting intent, 

 I took an opportunity which offered itself at 

 Bristol of acquiring a singular accumulation of 

 old letters and documents, so many in number 

 that until recently, when my physical activities 

 have been curtailed, I had not had time to possess 

 myself of an intimate knowledge of them. Among 

 other letters, many of which were addressed or 

 related to persons at Bath or Bristol, was this 

 one, and David Hartley's connection with the 

 West accounted for its presence in this company. 

 In 1859 a large number of letters, addressed to 



187 



