Braintree, 9 September, 1776.
This night our good uncle came from town and brought me yours of August
20, 21, 25, 27, and 28, for all of which I most sincerely thank you. I
have felt uneasy to hear from you. The report of your being dead has no
doubt reached you by Bass, who heard enough of it before he came away.
It took its rise among the Tories, who, as Swift said of himself, "By
their fears betray their hopes." How they should ever take it into their
heads that you was poisoned at New York, a fortnight before that we
heard anything of that villain Zedwitz's plan of poisoning the waters of
the city, I cannot tell.[159] I am sometimes ready to suspect that there
is a communication between the Tories of every State; for they seem to
know all news that is passing before it is known by the Whigs.
We have had many stories concerning engagements upon Long Island this
week; of our lines being forced and of our troops returning to New York.
Particulars we have not yet obtained. All we can learn is that we have
been unsuccessful there; having lost many men as prisoners, among whom
are Lord Stirling and General Sullivan.
But if we should be defeated, I think we shall not be conquered. A
people fired like the Romans with love of their country and of liberty,
a zeal for the public good, and a noble emulation of glory, will not be
disheartened or dispirited by a succession of unfortunate events. But
like them may we learn by defeat the power of becoming invincible!
I hope to hear from you by every post till you return. The herbs[160]
you mention I never received. I was upon a visit to Mrs. S. Adams about
a week after Mr. Gerry returned, when she entertained me with a very
fine dish of green tea. The scarcity of the article made me ask her
where she got it. She replied that her _sweetheart_ sent it to her by
Mr. Gerry. I said nothing, but thought my sweetheart might have been
equally kind, considering the disease I was visited with, and that was
recommended a bracer. A little after, you mentioned a couple of bundles
sent. I supposed one of them might contain the article, but found they
were letters. How Mr. Gerry should make such a mistake I know not. I
shall take the liberty of sending for what is left of it, though I
suppose it is half gone, as it was very freely used. If you had
mentioned a single word of it in your letter, I should have immediately
found out the mistake.
It is said that the efforts of our enemies will be to stop the
communication between the Colonies by taking possession of Hudson's Bay.
Can it be effected? The _Milford_ frigate rides triumphant in our bay,
taking vessels every day, and no colony or Continental vessel has yet
attempted to hinder her. She mounts but twenty-eight guns, but is one of
the finest sailers in the British navy. They complain we have not
weighty metal enough, and I suppose truly. The rage for privateering is
as great here as anywhere, and I believe the success has been as great.
[Footnote 159: Herman Zedwitz, a German who had received a
lieutenant-colonel's commission in the Continental army, appears to have
conceived a clumsy scheme of treachery, by communicating to Governor
Tryon, among other things, a supposed plot to poison the waters of the
city of New York. He was tried by wart martial and cashiered.]
[Footnote 160: Tea.]