Patience Lovell Wright to John Adams and John Jay, 8 March 1783
Patience Lovell Wright to John Adams and John Jay
[March 8th 1783 London Wax Work Pall-mall]1
Dear Sirs Contrymen
I may venture to write to you as whatever is useful to human Nature Cannot but be Pleasing. as nothing in the world is So useful and beneficial as Government founded on Comon Equity and prudance— So nothing ^is^ So Delights my mind as the Contemplation of the Happiness of having a Part in the well Regulated Comunity— Their is Such a Charm in good order and Stedy Descipline that the World ^in^ all futer ages will admire and Read the History of our Days with the highest pleasure— America has Excited other Nations in Elivation and greatness of mind—with a zeal to Contribut to the Preservation of ^the^ priveledges of Nature and general felicity. We now Send you a Copy of our thoughts on the Subject of taxes Comon Law &c2 my perticuler friends and aquaintance all Joyne in the good wishes, and Send me Some Hints to be forwarded to your Govenours in the Diferent States— When King Solomon Built the Temple he Recievd presents from all Parts and accepted Presents of all Kinds from the People— So in like manner you wise men will take our materials as Coming from honest well ment Zeal to serve the grand Cause of our Contry you will Rejoyce that in the Contry of your Enimies you have all the Wise all the good in all Dinomenaturs with you in heart and Soul Ready to assist in any thing in their Power.
The most extrordinary treetment the Kings Friends has meet from him and the Junto has opend the minds and understandings of all Partis— Now good will Come out of Evil, and the Good Politicks of America Sound fourth to all the admiring World. Give us permission to lay our small mite before you. Public men must Expect Empertenent letters and visits. I wish much the pleasure of Seeing Mr Adams and Mr Jay and other worthy Contry men now in Europe My Intention is to make a Colection of their Busts in wax work to present to the State House in City Philadelphia for a monument of their glory and my own good Judment3
I hope the thought will meet with your approbation and Incouragment Women are faithful Friends and in all great Revolutions in Church and State have done wonders— The Honour already of the Friendship of our worthy heros—your Coleagues Doctr Franklin & Mr Lawrance4 Marques Delefiatt5 &c. will Lay the Foundation of my Intended Plann May I meet with your Friendship and deserve your Esteem is, ^amongst^ the higist Wishs of honored gentlmen your faithfull humble Servt
Patience Wright
Mr Adams
For Mr Jay
Per favor Mr. Lawrance
ALS, NNC (EJ: 7278). Addressed: “Messrs. Adams / Jay Commissioners / for America &c. &c. &c. / at Paris.” Endorsed by JJ.
1. Quaker artist Patience Lovell Wright (1725–1786), the New Jersey-born wax modeler, who, while in England during the Revolutionary War, is said to have acted as a spy for BF. See . She was the mother of the artist Joseph Wright, on whom see JJ to RRL, 4 Sept. 1782, above.
2. Enclosure not found.
3. Wright’s plans to produce a collection of busts of American leaders to be housed at the congressional meeting place were not implemented. See her letter to JJ of 8 Dec. 1783, below.
4. Henry Laurens.
5. Lafayette.