phia." Those who were greatest in the revolutionary congresses, with many others, worthy to be associated with them, are in this ever to be remembered convention, assembled to define for centuries, perhaps for ever, the just limits of individual liberty and public sovereignty. They will not fail to erect a monument which shall separate distinctly all the Future from all the Past in human history.

THE YEAR OF SUSPENSE.

I.

THAT august assemblage in Philadelphia to which was confided, in a larger degree than ever to any other body of men, the destinies of nations, had closed its sittings and adjourned; the great thinkers and the great actors of our recent history were at their several homes waiting the decisions of the states, or busy with patriotic passion and all the resources of reason, in advocating the approval and adoption of the constitution. "A nation without a national government is an awful spectacle," wrote Alexander Hamilton; "the establishment of a constitution in time of profound peace, by the voluntary consent of a whole people, is a prodigy, to the completion of which I look forward with trembling anxiety."

The constitution was not entirely approved by any, but nearly all were willing to say with the venerable Franklin, "The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good." With the masses, its best recommendation was that it bore the signature of WASHINGTON, of whose transcendent wisdom and justice there was a subtle, indefinable and almost universal appreciation and recognition. The noble Chief shared largely of the common anxiety respecting the fate of the system of government formed by himself and his friends, and felt a truer joy, we may believe, when at length

its triumph was decided, than ever had warmed his heart at any victory in war.

II.

In the winter of 1785, the Continental Congress had adjourned to New York, where all its subsequent sessions were held, until the organization of the constitutional government. Mr. Jefferson had been sent to fill the place of Franklin, at Paris; Mr. Adams was in London; and many of our leading characters, in affairs or in society, were in various parts of Europe, in the public service, or in pursuits of business or pleasure.

John Quincy Adams was now eighteen years of age. He had already commenced his diplomatic career, as Secretary to Mr. Dana, our Minister at St. Petersburg. He had lately returned, to complete his academical education at Harvard College, and before visiting his friends in Boston he sent back to his sister, in London, an account of his first impressions of society and politics in New York. He called on Mr. Jay, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and next on Mr. Theodore Sedgwick, Mr. Rufus King, Mr. Nathan Dane, and other delegates in Congress from Massachusetts. Mr. Gerry, he says, was glad to see him, on account of friendship for his father; and Mr. King was very polite. They went with him to call on the President, Mr. Lee, who inquired with the kindest particularity concerning the ambassador. He also waited on Governor Clinton, and the Spanish minister, Don Diego Gardoqui. The next day President Lee, who met him at a breakfast party at Mr. Gerry's, invited him to take an apartment in his house; he endeavored to excuse himself, as well as he could, but the invitation being renewed at dinner, he consented, rather reluctantly, being doubtful whether his course would be altogether pleasing to his father, whom he regarded as the real object of the attentions

offered to him. The President entertained three times a week, but never invited ladies, because there were none in his own house. His health was not very good. "I believe the duties of his office weary him much," Adams writes; "he is obliged, in this weather, to sit in Congress from eleven in the morning until four in the afternoon, the warmest and most disagreeable part of the day. It was expected that Congress would adjourn during the dog-days, at least, but they have so much business that a recess, however short, would leave them behindhand." A portion of the young statesman's gossip about men and women then most conspicuous in the metropolis, we transcribe from his letters, which are more particular and more entertaining than any other notices of life in New York during that summer.

"At tea, this afternoon, at Mr. Ramsay's," he writes on the twentieth of July, "I met Mr. Gardoqui, and his secretary, Mr. Rawdon, who is soon, if common report says truly, to marry Miss M. His complexion and his looks show sufficiently from what country he is. How happens it that revenge stares through the eyes of every Spaniard? Mr. Gardoqui was very polite, and enquired much after my father, as did also Mr. Van Berkel, the Dutch minister." Mr. Ramsay was the amiable and accomplished histo

rian, and a representative from South Carolina.

On the twenty-third he dined with General Knox, the secretary of war, who lived about four miles out of the city. The Virginia and Massachusetts delegations, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Lady Duer, daughter of Lord Stirling, Miss Sears, Mr. Church, Colonel Wadsworth, and Mr. Osgood, formed the company. "Lady Duer is not young, or handsome," he says; but she would not have been thought old, by a man over eighteen, and she had been, if she was not then, one of the sweetest looking women in the city. "Miss Sears," he continues, "has been ill, and looks pale; but she is very pretty,

and has the reputation of being witty and sharp: I am sure she does not look méchante." After a passage of more than twelve weeks, from Amsterdam, the daughter of Mr. Van Berkel arrived in Philadelphia, and the minister set out to meet her. Young Adams had seen her in Holland, and does not appear to have formed a very high estimate of her beauty. "The young ladies here," he remarks, "are very impatient to see her, and I dare say that when she comes reflections will not be spared on either side. The beauties of New York will triumph, but, I hope, with moderation."

Colonel William S. Smith, a native of New York, who had served with considerable credit during the war, and was afterward appointed Secretary of Legation at the Court of London, was at this time engaged to Miss Adams. On the last day of July her brother went with a Mr. Jarvis to visit the family, at Jamaica, Long Island.

"The colonel's mother," he writes, "appeared to miss him very much. All the family are in mourning for the old gentleman, who died about nine months ago. There is one son here now, and, if I mistake not, six daughters. Sally strikes most at first sight: she is tall, has a very fine shape, and a vast deal of vivacity in her eyes, which are a light blue. She has the ease and elegance of the French ladies, without their loquacity. Her conversation, I am told, is as pleasing as her figure." This young lady was married in a few years to Charles Adams, the writer's brother. He also mentions a "celebrated beauty by the name of Miss Ogden," who then lived on the Island. He thought she resembled the handsome Mrs. Bingham, of Philadelphia, whom he had encountered abroad.

On Sunday, the seventh of August, he writes, "I attended church this morning at St. Paul's: for we have a St. Paul's here as well as you in London, though it is something like Alexander the