Not since the 6th of September have I had one line from you, which makes
me very uneasy. Are you all this time conferring with his Lordship? Is
there no communication? or are the post-riders all dismissed? Let the
cause be what it will, not hearing from you has given me much
uneasiness.
We seem to be kept in total ignorance of affairs at York. I hope you at
Congress are more enlightened. Who fell, who are wounded, who prisoners,
or their number, is as undetermined as it was the day after the
battle.[161] If our army is in ever so critical a state I wish to know
it, and the worst of it. If all America is to be ruined and undone by a
pack of cowards and knaves, I wish to know it. Pitiable is the lot of
their commander. Caesar's tenth legion never was forgiven. We are told
for truth that a regiment of Yorkers refused to quit the city, and that
another regiment behaved like a pack of cowardly villains by quitting
their posts. If they are unjustly censured, it is for want of proper
intelligence.
I am sorry to see a spirit so venal prevailing everywhere. When our men
were drawn out for Canada, a very large bounty was given them; and now
another call is made upon us; no one will go without a large bounty,
though only for two months, and each town seems to think its honor
engaged in outbidding the others. The province pay is forty shillings.
In addition to that, this town voted to make it up six pounds. They then
drew out the persons most unlikely to go, and they are obliged to give
three pounds to hire a man. Some pay the whole fine, ten pounds. Forty
men are now drafted from this town. More than one half, from sixteen to
fifty, are now in the service. This method of conducting will create a
general uneasiness in the Continental army. I hardly think you can be
sensible how much we are thinned in this province.
The rage for privateering is as great here as anywhere. Vast numbers are
employed in that way. If it is necessary to make any more drafts upon
us, the women must reap the harvests. I am willing to do my part. I
believe I could gather corn, and husk it; but I should make a poor
figure at digging potatoes.
There has been a report that a fleet was seen in our bay yesterday. I
cannot conceive from whence, nor do I believe the story.
'T is said you have been upon Staten Island to hold your conference. 'T
is a little odd that I have never received the least intimation of it
from you. Did you think I should be alarmed? Don't you know me better
than to think me a coward? I hope you will write me everything
concerning this affair. I have a great curiosity to know the result.
As to government, nothing is yet done about it. The Church is opened
here every Sunday, and the King prayed for, as usual, in open defiance
of Congress.
If the next post does not bring me a letter, I think I will leave off
writing, for I shall not believe you get mine.
Adieu.
Yours,
P. S. Master John has become post-rider from Boston to Braintree.