ed so much for America, be pointed against it....

Our convention is now employed in the great work of forming
a constitution. My most esteemed republican form has many
and powerful enemies. A silly thing, published in
Philadelphia, by a native of Virginia, has just made its
appearance here, strongly recommended, 't is said, by one of
our delegates now with you,--Braxton. His reasonings upon
and distinction between private and public virtue, are weak,
shallow, evasive, and the whole performance an affront and
disgrace to this country; and, by one expression, I suspect
his whiggism.

Our session will be very long, during which I cannot count
upon one coadjutor of talents equal to the task. Would to
God you and your Sam Adams were here! It shall be my
incessant study so to form our portrait of government that a
kindred with New England may be discerned in it; and if all
your excellences cannot be preserved, yet I hope to retain
so much of the likeness, that posterity shall pronounce us
descended from the same stock. I shall think perfection is
obtained, if we have your approbation.

I am forced to conclude; but first, let me beg to be
presented to my ever-esteemed S. Adams. Adieu, my dear sir;
may God preserve you, and give you every good thing.

P. HENRY, JR.

P. S. Will you and S. A. now and then write?[247]

To this hearty and even brotherly letter John Adams wrote from
Philadelphia, on the 3d of June, a fitting reply, in the course of
which he said, with respect to Henry's labors in making a constitution
for Virginia: "The subject is of infinite moment, and perhaps more
than adequate to the abilities of any man in America. I know of none
so competent to the task as the author of the first Virginia
resolutions against the Stamp Act, who will have the glory with
posterity of beginning and concluding this great revolution. Happy
Virginia, whose constitution is to be framed by so masterly a
builder!" Then, with respect to the aristocratic features in the
Constitution, as proposed by "A Native of the Colony," John Adams
exclaims:--

"The dons, the bashaws, the grandees, the patricians, the
sachems, the nabobs, call them by what name you please,
sigh, and groan, and fret, and sometimes stamp, and foam,
and curse, but all in vain. Th