John to Abigail October 29, 1775
There is, in the human Breast, a social Affection, which extends to our whole Species. Faintly indeed; but in some degree. The Nation, Kingdom, or Community to which We belong is embraced by it more vigorously. It is stronger still towards the Province to which we belong, and in which We had our birth. It is stronger and stronger, as We descend to the County, Town, Parish, Neighborhood, and Family, which We call our own. — And here We find it often so powerfull as to become partial, to blind our Eyes, to darken our Understandings and pervert our Wills.
It is to this Infirmity, in my own Heart, that I must perhaps attribute that local Attachment, that partial Fondness, that overweening prejudice in favor of New England, which I feel very often and which I fear sometimes leads me to expose myself to just Ridicule.
