360 WORK IN WAR-TIME CHAP. 



that ought to take place. Why not institute an American 

 standard, and at this moment, when your trade is less than 

 it ever will be hereafter while you exist ? The diversity and 

 confusion on this island, not to say in Europe, is a sufficient 

 proof of the need there is of such a reformation : no time more 

 proper for it than the present : no one more capable of forming 

 the basis of such a regulation than my friend ; and if proper 

 I know it will be encouraged. 



I sent a long paper on oaths by a gentleman of my acquaint- 

 ance from Maryland. Pray keep this subject in sight. The 

 Massachusetts government has adopted such a plan in part : 

 they have allowed those who conscientiously refuse an oath 

 to qualify themselves for offices by an affirmation. This is 

 liberal, and the more to be regarded, as I dare say it sprung 

 from the breasts of those who had the modification of this 

 government committed to them, and not from any solicitation 

 of ours, or of others who had similar scruples. It is a singular 

 event in the history of the human mind, that a state heretofore 

 considered as one of the most intolerant should have framed 

 one of the most liberal plans of government ever framed. 



[After relating the foundation of Ackworth School the 

 letter goes on :] I dare not touch upon our situation, but it is 

 tending to the point slowly yet certainly, which may probably 

 prove extremely advantageous to us, poverty and distress, 

 seldom enemies to virtue. Whilst a single man or a single 

 guinea can be found peace is hardly to be hoped for ; and 

 while commissaries and a tribe of devourers are employed, 

 they will always find means to urge a mind not disposed to 

 relent in your favour to proceed with vehemence, however 

 ineffectual. I think your business is to risk nothing. You 

 lose in action for the most part the advantages you reap in 

 patience. The late affair in Carolina is a manifest proof of it, 

 and I fear if you prompt your general to do more than he 

 ought you may still be sufferers. But I am not a judge of 

 these matters. . . . With cordial regard and undiminished 

 esteem I am thy affectionate friend, 



J. FOTHERGILL. 1 



The idea of a court or college to which disputes between 

 the nations might be referred has been the dream of 

 thoughtful minds during many centuries. It was not 



1 To a correspondent in Massachusetts, who had several times sent him 

 information in the hope of aiding in the composition of the strife, Fothergill 

 wrote a few days earlier, dealing with similar topics. See Letter dated Oct. 20, 

 1780, European Magazine, 1790, ii. 85. 



