Thomas Mullett, Charleston, South Carolina, to John Wilkes, London, 15 February 1784. 

Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 15. 1784

         I had the pleasure, my dear Sir, of writing you a few lines soon after my arrival in New York, since which, a uniform pursuit of the Object of my voyage has depriv’d me of a renewal of that pleasure. The letter I refer to was meerly to inform you of my safe arrival on this Continent, as it was impossible for me in the then state of that City to derive any information on which I could rely, or which I could think myself warranted in transmitting to you. Since the 12th September I have travelld from Portsmouth in Newhampshire, to Savannah in Georgia, devoting as much time as my plan would permit to observation and enquiry. From Pennsylvania Eastward, thro the Jersies, New York, Connecticut, & Rhode Island, Massachusetts Bay & Hampshire, the people in their manners & customs resemble the medium Class of our own Country, and the prejudices in favor of England and its various products are as prevalent as ever they were. The inhabitants are very numerous, and in general well inform’d. South of Pennsylvania thro Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia the people are more thinly scatter’d; and from the savage manner in which the war was conducted, their resentment against the English is yet very powerful. The epithets of the Enemy and the British are universally in use, and they are sometimes so expressed, even by the milder dispositions, in the recital of events as to prove that hatred has supplanted respect & esteem. The desolation of property, and the personal Cruelty, of which in the Southern States they justly Complain excite a degree of horror in every humane mind, and the facts which are now related with every proof, the historian will hesitate to transmit to posterity least his impartiality and veracity should be question’d. There are Men, Caressd at home, whose conduct has fixd a lasting reproach on the English name and who have disgracd the human Character. Whilst the present generation lives Cornwallis, Rawdon, Balfour, Tarlton [sic], & Craig will never be forgotten. The attention paid to an Englishman borders on Coolness, unless he has good recommendations, which, like those I was fortunate enough to bring, will ensure Cordiality. Of all National Characters, the Scotch are most detested thro the Union – the English are next. The French & Irish are received with distinguishing partiality. Individual Characters like yours are spoken of with universal approbation. My own experience is also a proof of individual exceptions as I have found hospitality respect & friendship. Notwithstanding present resentments & prejudices I am of opinion that it will be the fault of England if she does not secure to herself the benefits of the most valuable part of the Trade of this Country – but illjudged and irritating prohibitions will not produce it. The groundwork must be a Conciliatory temper, and a liberal Commercial System. Without these she will encourage a rival that will be formidable. The French are attentive to an extreme. In Philadelphia they have a Minister. In Boston, New York, and all other Capitals a Consul – Men who appear to have been selected for their several stations, who pursue a line of Conduct congenial with the dispositions of the inhabitants, affecting a plainness of manners, associating with Mercantile Men, and seeking information thro’ every possible medium. – When, my dear Sir will our Country have an Administration capable of attending to these important Considerations, and what prospect have you of an annihilation of that unprincipled Coalition which is the Curse of England, and deservedly the Scorn & Contempt of America.

         Your letter to Mr Sam: Adams procured me a reception from that Gentleman equal to my wish. I spent an agreeable hour with him.  His Character for wisdom & public virtue cannot be too highly celebrated. He assured me that it would always give him pleasure to pay attention to our Countrymen who had the sanction of your introduction. Mr Hancock the Governor retains little respect. He is so Capricious that his friends are weary of apologizing for him, and but for his former sufferings and exertions he would sustain no rank in the State. On any future occasion you will do him too much honor to address him in that state of respect and Compliment which the letter you favored me with contain’d. The people of the Massachusets [sic] have goodsense enough to discover & to despise, and gratitude also to reward.

         Congress at present assemble[s] at Annapolis in Maryland, thro’ a justifiable resentment against Philadelphia where the timid Governor, Dickinson, author of the farmers Letters, sufferd them to be insulted by a few heated and deluded Soldiers without the least exertion for their protection. That body, thro a want of more power, are not held in that degree of veneration to which their wisdom & the interests of the Country entitle them. An addition of authority is essential to their dignity & usefulness and the good sense of the People will ere long admit it, notwithstanding the jealousies they have lately discoverd on that Subject. The people at large are well disposd & tho’ the Army has been disbanded, without their arrears, and with their Arms in their hands, I have not heard of an interruption on the road, or of any outrage from Newhampshire to this place.

         The late Commander in Chief has confirmd his Character by the resignation of his Commission & by retiring to private life. Few have been more useful to their Country – none more illustrious. He receives the united applause of distant Nations, and is considerd by his fellow Citizens as him

“Whom heaven in some propitious hour endowd

         With every purer virtue – breath’d into his swelling breast

The large ambitious wish to save his Country

And gave him all that lifts the Hero

Or adorns the Man!”

I hope to return to New York by the end of March, when I shall be happy to find a literary testimony of your friendly recollection. Tell my arrival there I cannot determine on the period of my return home. If my Continuance should be longer than I at present expect you may depend on another letter. New York is the most eligible situation on the Continent, and I am so well pleasd with it, that were you prime Minister instead of Chamberlain I should be almost tempted to solicit the Consulship at your hands. I beg my best respects to Miss Wilkes & remain

                                 your ever Obligd –

                                             Tho. Mullett

Address: none

Postmark: none

Text: John Wilkes Correspondence, British Library, ADD MS 30872, vol. 6, 1776-1785, fol. 239.