Philadelphia, 7 March, 1777.
The President, who is just arrived from Baltimore, came in a few minutes
ago and delivered me yours of February 8, which he found at Susquehanna
River, on its way to Baltimore. It gives me great pleasure to find that
you have received so many letters from me, although I knew they
contained nothing of importance. I feel a restraint in writing, like
that which you complain of, and am determined to go on trifling.
However, the post now comes regularly, and I believe you may trust it. I
am anxious and impatient to hear of the march of the Massachusetts
soldiers for the new army. They are much wanted.
This city is a dull place in comparison of what it was. More than one
half the inhabitants have removed into the country, as it was their
wisdom to do. The remainder are chiefly Quakers, as dull as beetles.
From these neither good is to be expected nor evil to be apprehended.
They are a kind of neutral tribe, or the race of the insipids. Howe may
possibly attempt this town, and a pack of sordid scoundrels, male and
female, seem to have prepared their minds and bodies, houses and
cellars, for his reception; but these are few, and more despicable in
character than number. America will lose nothing by Howe's gaining this
town. No such panic will be spread by it now as was spread by the
expectation of it in December. However, if we can get together twenty
thousand men by the first of April Mr. Howe will scarcely cross Delaware
River this year. New Jersey may yet be his tomb, where he will have a
monument very different from his brother's[164] in Westminster Abbey.
I am very uneasy that no attempt is made at Rhode Island. There is but a
handful left there, who might be made an easy prey. The few invalids who
are left there are scattered over the whole island, which is eleven
miles in length, and three or four wide. Are New England men such sons
of sloth and fear as to lose this opportunity? We may possibly remove
again from hence, perhaps to Lancaster or Reading. It is good to change
place; it promotes health and spirits; it does good many ways; it does
good to the place we remove from, as well as to that we remove to, and
it does good to those who move. I long to be at home at the opening
spring, but this is not my felicity. I am tenderly anxious for your
health and for the welfare of the whole house.