is no greater mortification than to sit with half a dozen wits, deliberating upon a petition, address, or memorial. These great wits, these subtle critics, these refined geniuses, these learned lawyers, these wise statesmen, are so fond of showing their parts and powers, as to make their consultations very tedious. Young Ned Rutledge is a perfect Bob-o-Lincoln, — a swallow, a sparrow, a peacock ; excessively vain, excessively weak, and excessively variable and unsteady ; jejune, inane, and puerile. Mr. Dickinson is very modest, delicate, and timid. Spent the evening at home. Colonel Dyer, Judge Sherman, and Colonel Floyd came in, and spent the evening with Mr. Adams and me. Mr. Mifflin and General Lee came in. Lee s head is running upon his new plan of a battalion. . . .
26. Wednesday. Dined at home. This day the Congress finished. Spent the evening together at the City Tavern ; all the Congress, and several gentlemen of the town. . . .
28. Friday. Took our departure, in a very great rain, from the happy, the peaceful, the elegant, the hospitable, and polite city of Philadelphia. It is not very likely that I shall ever see this part of the world again, but I shall ever retain a most grateful, pleasing sense of the many civilities I have received in it, and shall think myself happy to have an opportunity of returning them.
John Adams, Works (edited by Charles Francis Adams, Boston, 1850), II, 365-402 passim.
154. Enforcement of the Association (1774)
BY GOVERNOR THE EARL OF DUNMORE
For Dunmore, see above, No. 135.
THE Associations first in part entered into, recommended by the people of this Colony, and adopted by what is called the Continental Congress, are now enforcing throughout this country with the greatest rigour. A Committee has been chosen in every County, whose business it is to carry the Association of the Congress into execution, which Committee assumes an authority to inspect the books, invoices, and all other secrets of the trade and correspondence of Merchants ; to watch the conduct of every inhabitant, without distinction, and to send for all such as come under their suspicion into their presence ; to inter-
