Boston, 13 July, 1776.
I must begin with apologizing to you for not writing since the 17th of
June. I have really had so many cares upon my hands and mind, with a bad
inflammation in my eyes, that I have not been able to write. I now date
from Boston, where I yesterday arrived and was with all of our little
ones inoculated for the small-pox....
As to news, we have taken several prizes since I wrote you, as you will
see by the newspapers. The present report is of Lord Howe's coming with
unlimited powers. However, suppose it is so, I believe he little thinks
of treating with us as Independent States. How can any person yet dream
of a settlement, accommodations, etc.? They have neither the spirit nor
the feeling of men. Yet I see some who never were called Tories
gratified with the idea of Lord Howe's being upon his passage with such
powers!
Sunday, 14 July.
By yesterday's post I received two letters dated 3d and 4th of July, and
though your letters never fail to give me pleasure, be the subject what
it will, yet it was greatly heightened by the prospect of the future
happiness and glory of our country. Nor am I a little gratified when I
reflect that a person so nearly connected with me has had the honor of
being a principal actor in laying a foundation for its future greatness.
May the foundation of our new Constitution be Justice, Truth,
Righteousness! Like the wise man's house, may it be founded upon these
rocks, and then neither storms nor tempests will overthrow it!
I cannot but be sorry that some of the most manly sentiments in the
Declaration are expunged from the printed copy. Perhaps wise reasons
induced it.
I shall write you now very often. Pray inform me constantly of every
important action. Every expression of tenderness is a cordial to my
heart. Important as they are to the rest of the world, to me they are
_everything_.
I suppose you have heard of a fleet which came up pretty near the Light
and kept us all with our mouths open, ready to catch them, but after
staying near a week, and making what observations they could, set sail
and went off, to our great mortification, who were[148] ---- for them in
every respect. If our ship of thirty-two guns which was built at
Portsmouth, and waiting only for guns, and another at Plymouth in the
same state, had been in readiness, we should in all probability have
been masters of them. Where the blame lies in that respect, I know not.
'T is laid upon Congress, and Congress is also blamed for not appointing
us a General. But Rome was not built in a day.
All our friends desire to be remembered to you, and foremost in that
number stands your