If alarming half a dozen places at the same time is an act of
generalship, Howe may boast of his late conduct. We have never, since
the evacuation of Boston, been under apprehensions of an invasion equal
to what we suffered last week. All Boston was in confusion packing up
and carting out of town household furniture, military stores, goods,
etc. Not less than a thousand teams were employed on Friday and
Saturday; and, to their shame be it told, not a small trunk would they
carry under eight dollars, and many of them, I am told, asked a hundred
dollars a load; for carting a hogshead of molasses eight miles, thirty
dollars. O human nature! or rather, O inhuman nature! what art thou? The
report of the fleet's being seen off Cape Ann Friday night gave me the
alarm, and, though pretty weak, I set about packing up my things, and on
Saturday removed a load.
When I looked around me and beheld the bounties of Heaven so liberally
bestowed, in fine fields of corn, grass, flax, and English grain, and
thought it might soon become a prey to these merciless ravagers, our
habitations laid waste, and if our flight preserved our lives, we must
return to barren fields, empty barns, and desolate habitations, if any
we find (perhaps not where to lay our heads), my heart was too full to
bear the weight of affliction which I thought just ready to overtake us,
and my body too weak almost to bear the shock, unsupported by my better
half.
But, thanks be to Heaven, we are at present relieved from our fears
respecting ourselves. I now feel anxious for your safety, but hope
prudence will direct to a proper care and attention to yourselves. May
this second attempt of Howe's prove his utter ruin. May destruction
overtake him as a whirlwind.
We have a report of an engagement at the northward, in which our troops
behaved well, drove the enemy into their lines, killed and took three
hundred and fifty prisoners. The account came in last night. I have not
particulars. We are under apprehensions that the _Hancock_ is taken.
Your obliging letters of the 8th, 10th, and 13th came to hand last week.
I hope before this time you are relieved from the anxiety you express
for your bosom friend. I feel my sufferings amply rewarded, in the
tenderness you express for me. But in one of your letters you have drawn
a picture which drew a flood of tears from my eyes, and wrung my heart
with anguish inexpressible. I pray Heaven I may not live to realize it.
It is almost thirteen years since we were united, but not more than half
that time have we had the happiness of living together. The unfeeling
world may consider it in what light they please. I consider it as a
sacrifice to my country, and one of my greatest misfortunes, for you to
be separated from my children, at a time of life when the joint
instructions and admonition of parents sink deeper than in maturer
years.
The hope of the smiles and approbation of my friend sweetens all my
toils and labors.
"Ye Powers, whom men and birds obey,
Great rulers of your creatures, say
Why mourning comes, by bliss conveyed,
And even the sweets of love allayed.
Where grows enjoyment tall and fair,
Around it twines entangling care;
While fear for what our sons possess
Enervates every power to bless.
Yet friendship forms the bliss above,
And, life! what art thou without love!"