Humphreys, David, 1752-1818 to Henry Knox

Writes to Knox about his last trip to Portsmouth and Boston. Says he was present and "highly delighted" with most of the "Academic Excercises" held at the University of Cambridge [Harvard], including one by a young Mr. [John Quincy] Adams, who "distinguished himself by a manly & dignified oration on public Credit." Also discusses the government, saying "We are gladdened with Reports that the federal Convention is likely to adopt almost unanimously some energetic form of Government, & that it is made so palatable, there are hopes entertained, that it will be swallowed by the People - I wish it may be so, but I must confess I have yet my apprehensions." Writes about the possible appointment of "some diplomatic characters for England, Holland, &c" and how it will affect him. Discusses his writings on the "Anarchiad" and the blasphemers of the [Society of] Cincinnati. Writes, "the Philosophers who have taught that every thing degenerates in America. Yet plague on these same Americans if they do not reform their morals & politics soon, I shall wish them all safe in the land of Annihilation."