Philadelphia, 2 June, 1775.
I had yesterday the pleasure of two letters from you, by Dr. Church. We
had been so long without any intelligence from our country, that the
sight of the Dr. gave us great joy. I have received no letters from
England, until the Doctor brought me one from Mr. Dilly.[76]
Mr. Henly goes, to-morrow, to the camp at Cambridge. I am not so ill as
I was when I left you, though not well.
Our debates and deliberations are tedious; from nine to four, five, and
once near six--our determinations very slow--I hope sure. The Congress
will support us, but in their own way. Not precisely in that way which I
could wish, but in a better way than we could well expect, considering
what a heterogeneous body it is.
The prospect of crops in all the Southern colonies never was exceeded.
What will become of the immense quantities of provisions, when the
non-exportation takes place, I can't conceive. Surely we shall not
starve.
Poor Bostonians! My heart bleeds for them day and night. God preserve
and bless them!
Was you frightened when the sheep-stealers got a drubbing at Grape
Island? Father Smith prayed for our scow crew, I doubt not; but how did
my dear friend Dr. Tufts sustain the shock? My duty and love to them and
all others who justly claim them.
Dr. Warren writes me about my brother. My love to both my brothers, my
duty to my mother and your uncle Quincy. Tell him I hope our company
continue their exercises. He would burst to see whole companies of armed
Quakers in this city, in uniforms, going through the manual and
manoeuvres like regular troops.