Plymouth, 17 June, 1776, a remarkable day.
I this day received by the hands of our worthy friend a large packet,
which has refreshed and comforted me. Your own sensations have ever been
similar to mine. I need not then tell you how gratified I am at the
frequent tokens of remembrance with which you favor me, nor how they
rouse every tender sensation of my soul, which sometimes will find vent
at my eyes. Nor dare I describe how earnestly I long to fold to my
fluttering heart the object of my warmest affections; the idea soothes
me. I feast upon it with a pleasure known only to those whose hearts and
hopes are one.
The approbation you give to my conduct in the management of our private
affairs is very grateful to me, and sufficiently compensates for all my
anxieties and endeavors to discharge the many duties devolved upon me in
consequence of the absence of my dearest friend. Were they discharged
according to my wishes, I should merit the praises you bestow.
You see I date from Plymouth. I came upon a visit to our amiable
friends, accompanied by my sister Betsey, a day or two ago. It is the
first night I have been absent since you left me. Having determined upon
this visit for some time, I put my family in order and prepared for it,
thinking I might leave it with safety. Yet, the day I set out I was
under many apprehensions, by the coming in of ten transports, which were
seen to have many soldiers on board, and the determination of the people
to go and fortify upon Long Island, Pettick's Island, Nantasket, and
Great Hill. It was apprehended they would attempt to land somewhere, but
the next morning I had the pleasure to hear they were all driven out,
_Commodore_ and all; not a transport, a ship, or a tender to be seen.
This shows what might have been long ago done. Had this been done in
season, the ten transports, with many others, in all probability would
have fallen into our hands; but the progress of wisdom is slow.
Since I arrived here I have really had a scene quite novel to me. The
brig _Defence_, from Connecticut, put in here for ballast. The officers,
who are all from thence, and who are intimately acquainted at Dr.
Lathrop's, invited his lady to come on board, and bring with her as many
of her friends as she could collect. She sent an invitation to our
friend, Mrs. Warren, and to us. The brig lay about a mile and a half
from town. The officers sent their barge, and we went. Every mark of
respect and attention which was in their power, they showed us. She is a
fine brig, mounts sixteen guns, twelve swivels, and carries one hundred
and twenty men. A hundred and seventeen were on board, and no private
family ever appeared under better regulation than the crew. It was as
still as though there had been only half a dozen; not a profane word
among any of them. The captain himself is an exemplary man (Harden his
name); has been in nine sea engagements; says if he gets a man who
swears, and finds he cannot reform him, he turns him on shore, yet is
free to confess that it was the sin of his youth. He has one lieutenant,
a very fine fellow, Smelden by name. We spent a very agreeable
afternoon, and drank tea on board. They showed us their arms, which were
sent by Queen Anne, and everything on board was a curiosity to me. They
gave us a mock engagement with an enemy, and the manner of taking a
ship. The young folks went upon the quarter-deck and danced. Some of
their Jacks played very well upon the violin and German flute. The brig
bears the Continental colors, and was fitted out by the Colony of
Connecticut. As we set off from the brig, they fired their guns in
honor of us, a ceremony I would very readily have dispensed with.
I pity you, and feel for you under all the difficulties you have to
encounter. My daily petitions to Heaven for you are that you may have
health, wisdom, and fortitude sufficient to carry you through the great
and arduous business in which you are engaged, and that your endeavors
may be crowned with success. Canada seems a dangerous and ill-fated
place. It is reported here that General Thomas is no more, that he took
the small-pox, and died with it. Every day some circumstance arises
which shows me the importance of having the distemper in youth. Dr.
Bulfinch has petitioned the General Court for leave to open a hospital
somewhere, and it will be granted him. I shall, with all the children,
be one of the first class, you may depend upon it.
I have just this moment heard that the brig which I was on board of on
Saturday, and which sailed yesterday morning from this place, fell in
with two transports, having each of them a hundred and fifty men on
board, and took them, and has brought them into Nantasket Roads, under
cover of the guns which are mounted there. I will add further
particulars as soon as I am informed.
I am now better informed, and will give you the truth. The brig
_Defence_, accompanied by a small privateer, sailed in concert Sunday
morning. About twelve o'clock they discovered two transports, and made
for them. Two privateers, which were small, had been in chase of them,
but finding the enemy was of much larger force, had run under Cohasset
rocks. The _Defence_ gave a signal gun to bring them out. Captain Burk,
who accompanied the _Defence_, being a prime sailor, he came up first,
and poured a broadside on board a sixteen gun brig. The _Defence_ soon
attacked her upon her bows. An obstinate engagement ensued. There was a
continual blaze upon all sides for many hours, and it was near midnight
before they struck. In the engagement, the _Defence_ lost one man, and
five wounded. With Burk, not one man received any damage; on board the
enemy, fourteen killed, among whom was a major, and sixty wounded. They
are part of the Highland soldiers. The other transport mounted six guns.
When the fleet sailed out of this harbor last week, they blew up the
lighthouse. They met six transports coming in, which they carried off
with them. I hope we shall soon be in such a posture of defense as to
bid them defiance.
I feel no great anxiety at the large armament designed against us. The
remarkable interpositions of Heaven in our favor cannot be too
gratefully acknowledged. He who fed the Israelites in the wilderness,
"who clothes the lilies of the field, and feeds the young ravens when
they cry," will not forsake a people engaged in so righteous a cause, if
we remember his loving-kindness. We wanted powder,--we have a supply. We
wanted arms,--we have been favored in that respect. We wanted hard
money,--twenty-two thousand dollars, and an equal value in plate, are
delivered into our hands.
You mention your peas, your cherries, and your strawberries, etc. Ours
are but just in blossom. We have had the coldest spring I ever knew.
Things are three weeks behind what they generally used to be. The corn
looks poor. The season now is rather dry. I believe I did not understand
you, when in a former letter you said, "I want to resign my office, for
a thousand reasons." If you mean that of judge, I know not what to say.
I know it will be a difficult and arduous station; but, divesting myself
of private interest, which would lead me to be against your holding that
office, I know of no person who is so well calculated to discharge the
trust, or who I think would act a more conscientious part.