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MR. ADAMS'S LETTERS.

LETTER V.

AMSTERDAM, OCT. 9, 1780.

SIR,

THE fifth enquiry is, "Whether a voluntary revolt of any one or more of the States in the American Confederation is to be apprehended: And if one or more were to revolt, whether the others would not be able to defend themselves?"

This is a very judicious and material question. I conceive that the answer to it is easy and decisive. There is not the least danger of a voluntary revolt of any one State in the Union. It is difficult to prove a negative, however; and still more difficult to prove a future negative. Let us, however, consider the subject a little.

Which State is the most likely to revolt, or submit? Is it the most ancient colony, as Virginia, or the Massachusetts? Is it the most numerous and powerful, as Virginia, Massachusetts, or Pennsylvania? I believe nobody will say, that any one of these great States will take the lead in a revolt, or a voluntary submission.

Will it be the smallest and weakest States, that will be most likely to give up voluntarily? In order to satisfy ourselves of this, let us consider what has happened; and by the knowledge of what has passed, we may judge of what is to come.