Just Heaven has given them to taste of the same cup of affliction which they one year ago administered with such callous hearts to thousands of their fellow-citizens; but with this difference, that they fly from the injured and enraged country, whilst pity and commiseration received the sufferers whom they inhumanly drove from their dwellings. I would fain hope that the time may not be far distant when those things you hint at may be carried into execution. "Oh! are ye not those patriots in whose power That best, that godlike luxury is placed Of blessing thousands, thousands yet unborn Thro' late posterity? Ye large of soul, Cheer up dejected industry, and give A double harvest to the pining swain. Teach thou, the laboring herd the sweets of toil; How, by the finest art, the native robe To weave; how, white as Hyperborean snow, To form the lucid lawn; with venturous oar How to dash wide the billow; nor look on, Shamefully passive, while Britannia's fleets Defraud us of the glittering finny swarms That hem our firths and swarm upon our shores; How all-enlivening trade to rouse, and wing The prosperous sail from every growing port Uninjured round the semicircled globe." It is rumored here that Admiral Hopkins is blocked up in Newport harbor by a number of men-of-war. If so, 't is a very unlucky circumstance. As to fortifications, those who preside in the Assembly can give you a much better account than I. I heard yesterday that a number of gentlemen who were together at Cambridge thought it highly proper that a committee of ladies should be chosen to examine the Tory ladies, and proceeded to the choice of three--Mrs. Winthrop, Mrs. Warren, and your humble servant. I could go on and give you a long list of domestic affairs, but they would only serve to embarrass you and noways relieve me. I hope it will not be long before things will be brought into such a train as that you may be spared to your family. Your brother has lost his youngest child with convulsion fits. Your mother is well and always desires to be remembered to you. Nabby is sick with the mumps,--a very disagreeable disorder. You have not once told me how you do. I judge you are well, as you seem to be in good spirits. I bid you good night. All the little flock send duty, and want to see p--a. Adieu. Shall I say, remember me as you ought? 100. JOHN ADAMS. Philadelphia, 23 April, 1776.