brother from the radical english statesman in london, wanting to correspond with him, among whom is kathryn mcauley, radical british historian. mercy writes a rather awkward letter saying my brother can no longer write to you, but -- she is very much in of this woman who had written an important, radical history of the british came from james on. she doesn't expect to get a letter from katharine but i want you to know he can't write any more. i want you to know, we appreciate your support to the american cause. when i started this book, i was going to call it dare i say more? because mercy, being a colonial woman, knew she had to keep her place. she is forever. she continues to ask her friends -- john adams, her literary mentor, can i say this? this is incriminating. what will people think about me? that goes on and on. she writes in that same tone, a year later, catherine mcauley rights to her, embraces her, i am so honored to hear from the sister of james the patriot, they begin a literary friendship. may be that as part of why mercy becomes inspired. she is horrified by what is happening in the