Hartford, 2 May, 1775.
Our hearts are bleeding for the poor people of Boston. What will or can
be done for them I can't conceive. God preserve them.
I take this opportunity to write, by our committee who were sent to this
colony,[67] just to let you know that I am comfortable, and shall
proceed this afternoon. Pray write to me, and get all my friends to
write, and let me be informed of everything that occurs. Send your
letters to Colonel Palmer or Dr. Warren, who will convey them. They
will reach me sooner or later. This colony is raising six thousand men.
Rhode Island, fifteen hundred. New York has shut up their port, seized
the custom house, arms, ammunition, etc., called a Provincial Congress,
and entered into an association to stand by whatever shall be ordered by
the Continental and their Provincial Congress. Dr. Cooper[68] fled on
board a man of war, and the Tories are humbled in the dust.
Tell my brothers I have bought some military books, and intend to buy
more, so that I shall come back qualified to make them complete
officers. Write me whether either of them intends to take a command in
the army. I won't advise them, but leave them to their own inclinations
and discretion. But, if they should incline, they should apply to
Colonel Palmer and Dr. Warren soon.