that I sometimes wonder that all natural philosophers are not pious men; and yet it is notorious, that many of them are the reverse of this, and even speculative atheists. This, however, I am willing to think, cannot be so long, if what is most obviously true and right must prevail at last; and of this we cannot entertain a doubt. My conviction of the infinite wisdom in the structure and government of the world increases continually, and the satisfaction I derive from it is greater than ever; probably in consequence of being shut out from many other sources of enjoyment and pleasing reflection. Without this, I assure you that I should be very melancholy; but with it, I am, in all my trials, cheerful and happy. I can even look beyond any thing that is painful in my reflections on the conduct of I trust in a good Providence, with respect to the issue both in this world and the next. The discipline we are under, will at length soften the most refractory tempers, and make all of us what we ought to be, and the hand of God is in every thing. The belief that his will is actually done, and must always be so, should make us easy, and it will do so, after the first shock of a new event is a little over. But I ought not to preach to you.

The election of Mr. Jefferson for our next President is now secure by a considerable majority, and also that of Mr. Burr, of New York, with whom I am well acquainted, for Vice-president. The measures of the late administration are now almost universally reprobated, and I hope, in due time, some strong censures, such as will prevent their future occurrence, will be passed upon them. But Mr. Jefferson will do nothing rashly. His being President may induce me to visit the federal city, and perhaps his seat in Virginia.

I am happy in being remembered by the excellent family at Morden.† Give my best respects to them all. I shall never forget the many pleasing hours that Cecil spent with us at Birmingham. Remember me also to Dr. Blackburne and other friends.

* See supra, p. 436 ad fin.

+ See Mem. of Lindsey, pp. 86, note, 402.

Orig. MS.

CHAPTER VI.

(1801-1804.)

DR. PRIESTLEY was now visiting Philadelphia, for the third time, since his first arrival, in 1794, on the way from England. Though, during the last year, the seat of the general Government had been transferred to Washington, yet the metropolis of Pennsylvania would still offer many attractions.

*

TO REV. T. LINDSEY.†

DEAR FRIEND,

Philadelphia.+

HERE I am, unexpectedly, not having intended to visit this place any more; but my son having business here, and my daughter accompanying him, I was persuaded to come too; and though the journey was a tedious one of five days,§ I do not, on the whole, repent of it. It makes a little variety in the course of my life, which was rather too uniform, and I see here many persons from whose society I derive pleasure and advantage, though, the Congress not being here, there are not so many such as there would otherwise be.

My greatest mortification is, that the Unitarian society || is wholly dispersed, and the few that remain, so dispirited, that I cannot bring them together, I fear, even to hear a few dis

"1800. The seat of Government removed to Washington;" which, in "1802, contained 4350 inhabitants." Amer. Ann. II. 409.

+ Essex Street.

No Date. Received " March 16, 1801.”

§ 130 miles. See supra, p. 268, note ‡.

See supra, p. 369.

courses that I had prepared, principally for them. I shall, however, see what farther can be done. Several of the most zealous died of the yellow fever, and most of the rest have left the place. There were not half a dozen at their last meeting. They were all English families. Not a single native American joined them. The more opulent of their society, as Mr. — left them, evidently because they made no figure, and it was disreputable to belong to it.

Indifference to religion is greater here than, I hope, it is with you; and those with whom it is any object, are mere enthusiasts, without any knowledge. I have attended some of their places of worship; but I have not found one that a man of sense can hear with any satisfaction; except Bishop White, who is, indeed, an excellent man, and in whose society I am very happy. I see him often, and our conversation is truly Christian and edifying. Such too is that of Dr. Rush; but though a zealous Christian, and an Unitarian, at least an Arian, he never attended the Unitarian society. One of the clergy, Dr. Andrews, is an Unitarian, and generally came to hear me. He is no preacher himself, having a professorship in the university. With him and the bishop* I have much intimacy, and this is the more extraordinary as the bishop is orthodox, and they are both Federalists, and Dr. Andrews, they say, very violent. That party, however, is now broken, and Dr. Andrews said I had done them more mischief than any other

man.

As far as I can see, the people of this country, in general, and even the Federalists, will acquiesce in the presidentship of Mr. Jefferson, in which I rejoice very much. He is a man of great prudence and moderation, and, if it be possible, will heal their differences, and keep the country in peace. I hope, too, that he is a Christian, and, if so, an Unitarian, and of this I have been assured by some who know him pretty well.

There is nowhere a more zealous Unitarian than Mr.

See supra, p. 342. Dr. White had been "consecrated at Lambeth Palace, in England, bishop of the episcopal churches in Pennsylvania;" and, at the same time, Dr. Prevost (see supra, p. 237, ad fin.) “bishop of the episcopal churches in New York.” Amer. Ann. II. 405, note.

*

Christie, at Winchester. Indeed, I fear he has injured himself materially by his zeal in the cause, without gaining, as he says, a single convert; though he gave public notice, and delivered a set of discourses composed for the purpose, and he was well attended, especially at the first. He has given up his office in the college, and now has a private school, on which he cannot subsist. He wishes to come to Northumberland, where a schoolmaster is wanted; but we cannot do more than maintain a single man, and his Unitarianism would hurt him with us. Otherwise his society is the very thing that I most wish for. How I long to see you and other Christian friends in England! But the will of God be done.†

DEAR SIR,

To REV. T. BELSHAM.

Philadelphia, March 2, 1801. AFTER an absence of four years, I am once more in this city. I found the Unitarian society entirely dispersed, and the few that remained without any spirit to assemble again. As to the people in general, inattention to the subject of religion is very great.

You will rejoice with the friends of liberty in this country on the election of Mr. Jefferson for our next President. § It has been a hard struggle, but the majority for him was considerable, and much greater in the wishes of the people than in the votes of the electors. The violence of the other party, and the extremes to which they were prepared to go, are hardly credible. I myself, who had done nothing more than you will see in my Letters, was in more danger than I imagined,

Formerly of Montrose, N. B. See I. 352, 364, notes.

↑ Orig. MS.

+ Hackney. § See his "Speech on taking the oaths to the Constitution, March 4, 1801." N. A. Reg. XXII. (201.)

"They had the effect," says Mr. Priestley, "of removing the unfavourable impressions made on the minds of the liberal and candid, and procured my father many friends. Fortunately, however, the violent measures then adopted, produced a complete change in the minds of the people, and in the representation, proving, by the peaceableness of it, the excellence of this form of government, and proving also that my father's sentiments were ap

as I find it was under deliberation to send me out of the country under the Alien Act. It was certainly the wish of the Secretary of State, and other officers of government, but I imagined that Mr. Adams revolted at it. He desired, however, a person, who has just informed me of it, to write to me, to be upon my guard, lest I should, by Mr. be led to

destruction.*

I have been much interested in reading Eton's "Survey of the Turkish Empire." It must surely be near its fall. Connected with this, is the French keeping possession of Egypt, in which I rejoice, hoping that revolution in the East will terminate in the restoration of the Jews.t

FROM PRESIDENT JEFFERSON.

DEAR SIR,

Washington, March 21, 1801. I LEARNT Some time ago that you were in Philadelphia, but that it was only for a fortnight, and I supposed you were gone. It was not till yesterday I received information that you were still there, had been very ill, but were on the recovery. I sincerely rejoice that you are so. Yours is one of the few

proved by nine-tenths of the people." Continuation, 8vo. p. 202; 12mo. pp. 182, 183.

* "It was intimated to my father," says Mr. Priestley, "from Mr. Adams himself, that he wished he would abstain from saying any thing on politics, lest he should get into difficulty." Ibid.

↑ Orig. MS.

Mr. William Davy, writing to Mr. Lindsey from "Philadelphia," says, "March 14, 1801. Our good friend, Dr. Priestley, was seized, the 8th inst., with a violent disorder, which has proved to be a bilious pleurisy, and for some time threatened fatal consequences, but by the very free use of the lancet, under the direction of three of our most eminent physicians, he is now declared to be (almost) completely out of danger. I have just seen, and received from, Dr. Rush this information. He adds, that the Doctor is very weak, and will require time and care to be fully re-established.

"P. S. on the 18th. Dr. Priestley has had a very severe relapse. On Sunday, the 15th, the faculty gave him up, and expected he would expire that night; but by the success of the means adopted-inhaling steam of hot water and taking squills, he was, to the astonishment and great joy of all around him, relieved, and has, ever since, continued getting better, and it is now (on Wednesday evening) hoped that he will recover." Orig. MS.