Philadelphia, 18 April, 1776.
I thank you for your agreeable letter of the 24th of March. I rejoice
with you that our friends are once more in possession of the town of
Boston; am glad to hear that so little damage is done to our house.
I hope you and your sister and brothers will take proper notice of these
great events, and remember under whose wise and kind Providence they are
all conducted. Not a sparrow falls, nor a hair is lost, but by the
direction of infinite wisdom. Much less are cities conquered and
evacuated. I hope that you will all remember how many losses, dangers,
and inconveniences have been borne by your parents, and the inhabitants
of Boston in general, for the sake of preserving freedom for you and
yours, and I hope you will all follow the virtuous example, if, in any
future time, your country's liberties shall be in danger, and suffer
every human evil rather than give them up. My love to your mamma, your
sister and brothers, and all the family. I am your affectionate father.