Braintree, 25 July, 1775.
Dearest Friend,--I received yours of July 7th, for which I heartily
thank you. It was the longest and best letter I have had; the most
leisurely, and therefore the most sentimental. Previous to your last, I
had written you, and made some complaints of you, but I will take them
all back again. Only continue your obliging favors, whenever your time
will allow you to devote one moment to your absent Portia.
This is the 25th of July. Gage has not made any attempts to march out
since the battle at Charlestown. Our army is restless, and wish to be
doing something to rid themselves and the land of the vermin and locusts
which infest it. Since I wrote you last, the companies stationed upon
the coast, both in this town, Weymouth, and Hingham, were ordered to
Nantasket, to reap and bring off the grain, which they accomplished, all
except a field or two which was not ripe; and having whaleboats, they
undertook to go to the Lighthouse and set fire to it, which they
effected in open day, and in fair sight of several men-of-war. Upon
their return came down upon them eight barges, one cutter, and one
schooner, all in battle-array, and poured whole broadsides upon them;
but our men all reached the shore, and not one life lost, two only
slightly wounded in their legs. They marched up a hill, and drew into
order in hopes the marines would land; but they chose rather to return
without a land engagement, though 't is thought they will burn the town
down as soon as our forces leave it. I had this account from Captain
Vinton, who with his company were there. These little skirmishes seem
trifling, but they serve to inure our men, and harden them to danger. I
hear the rebels are very wroth at the destruction of the Lighthouse.
There has been an offer from Gage to send the poor of Boston to Salem,
by water, but not complied with on our part; they returned for answer,
they would receive them upon the lines. Dr. Tufts saw a letter from
Deacon Newall, in which he mentions the death of John Cotton; he says it
is very sickly in town. Every fishing vessel is now obliged to enter and
clear out, as though she was going a foreign voyage. No inhabitant is
suffered to partake, but obliged to wait till the army is supplied, and
then, if one [fish] remains, they are allowed to purchase it. An order
has been given out in town that no person shall be seen to wipe his face
with a white handkerchief. The reason I hear is, that it is a signal of
mutiny. General Burgoyne lives in Mr. Sam Quincy's house. A lady, who
lived opposite, says she saw raw meat cut and hacked upon her mahogany
tables, and her superb damask curtain and cushions exposed to the rain,
as if they were of no value. How much better do the Tories fare than the
Whigs? I suppose this worthy, good man was put in with all confidence
that nothing should be hurt.
I was very much pleased with General Lee's letter,[90] and really
entertained a more favorable opinion of Burgoyne than I before had
imbibed from his speech; but a late letter from London, written to Mr.
Josiah Quincy, and, in case of his absence, to be opened either by you
or Mr. Samuel Adams, or either of the Warrens, has left me no room to
think that he is possessed either of generosity, virtue, or humanity.
His character runs thus:--
"As to Burgoyne, I am not master of language sufficient to give you a
true idea of the horrible wickedness of the man. His designs are dark;
his dissimulation of the deepest dye; for, not content with deceiving
mankind, he practices deceit on God himself, by assuming the appearance
(like Hutchinson) of great attention to religious worship, when every
action of his life is totally abhorrent to all ideas of true religion,
virtue, or common honesty. An abandoned, infamous gambler, of broken
fortune, and the worst and most detestable of the Bedford gang, who are
wholly bent on blood, tyranny, and spoil, and therefore the darling
favorite of our unrivaled ruler, Lord Bute."[91]
The character of Howe is not drawn much more favorably, but Clinton's
general character very good, and 't is said he does not relish the
service he is sent upon. I am ready to believe this of Clinton, as I
have never heard of any speeches of his since his arrival, nor scarcely
any mention of him. That such characters as Burgoyne and Howe should
engage in such a cause is not to be wondered at; but it is really to be
lamented, when a man possessed of one spark of virtue should be drawn
aside, and disgrace himself and posterity by adding one more to the
already infamous list. I suppose you have heard of Derby's arrival,[92]
and the intelligence he brings. I could not refrain wishing them
everlasting fetters; "the news received with some symptoms of pleasure,"
and "our friends increased," and a few more such sugar plums. Were they
suffering as we are, could Americans sit thus coldly whilst Britons were
bleeding? How is it possible that the love of gain and the lust of
domination should render the human mind so callous to every principle of
honor, generosity, and benevolence?
May that day be far distant from America, when "trade's unfeeling train"
shall "usurp this land, and dispossess the swain."
"Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates, and men decay;
Princes and lords may flourish, or may fade;
A breath can make them, as a breath has made;
But a bold peasantry, their country's pride,
When once destroyed, can never be supplied."
Your address meets with general approbation here; your petitioning the
King again pleases (forgive me if I say the timid and the weak) those
persons who were esteemed the lukewarm, and who think no works of
supererogation can be performed to Great Britain; whilst others say you
heap coals of fire upon the heads of your enemies. You know you are
considered here as a most perfect body; if one member is by any means
rendered incapable of acting, 't is supposed the deficiency will be made
up. The query is, why your President left the Congress so long as to
make it necessary to choose another member,[93]--whether he declined
returning to you again.
I suppose you have a list of our Council. It was generally thought that
Gage would make an attempt to come out either Election day or upon the
Fast; but I could not believe we should be disturbed upon that day. Even
"the devils believe and tremble," and I really believe they are more
afraid of the Americans' prayers than of their swords. I could not bear
to hear our inanimate old bachelor.[94] Mrs. Cranch and I took our
chaise and went to hear Mr. Haven, of Dedham, and we had no occasion to
repent eleven miles' ride; especially as I had the pleasure of spending
the day with my namesake and sister delegate.[95] Why should we not
assume your titles when we give you up our names? I found her
comfortably situated in a little country cottage, with patience,
perseverance, and fortitude for her companions, and in better health
than she has enjoyed for many months past.
I fear General Thomas being overlooked, and Heath placed over him, will
create much uneasiness. I know not who was to blame, but it is likely to
make a great and fatal gap in the army. If Thomas resigns, all his
officers resign; and Mr. Thomas cannot with honor hold under Heath. The
camp will evince to every eye how good an officer he has been; but this
is out of my sphere. I only say what others say, and what the general
disposition of the people is.
I believe you will not complain that I do not write often enough, and at
length enough. When you are tired, tell me. Pray make my compliments to
Mr. Barrell for his great civility to Portia. I really feel very anxious
at being exposed to any eyes but yours, whose partiality I have so often
experienced to cover a multitude of faults, that I rely upon it with the
utmost security. You will not fail letting me hear from you by every
opportunity.
I need not say how much I want to see you, but no one will credit my
story of your returning in a month. I hope to have the best of proofs to
convince them.