Philadelphia, 11 August, 1777.
Your kind favor of July 30th and 31st was handed me just now from the
post-office. I have regularly received a letter from you every week,
excepting one, for a long time past, and as regularly send a line to
you, inclosing papers. My letters are scarcely worth sending. Indeed, I
don't choose to indulge much speculation, lest a letter should miscarry,
and free sentiments upon public affairs intercepted from me might do
much hurt.
Where the scourge of God and the plague of mankind is gone, no one can
guess. An express from Sinnepuxent, a place between the Capes of
Delaware and the Capes of Chesapeake, informs that a fleet of one
hundred sail was seen off that place last Thursday. But whether this is
fishermen's news, like that from Cape Ann, I know not. The time spends
and the campaign wears away, and Howe makes no great figure yet. How
many men and horses will he cripple by this strange coasting voyage of
five weeks?
We have given New England men what they will think a complete triumph in
the removal of Generals from the northward and sending Gates there. I
hope every part of New England will now exert itself to its utmost
efforts. Never was a more glorious opportunity than Burgoyne has given
us of destroying him by marching down so far towards Albany. Let New
England turn out and cut off his retreat. Pray, continue to write me
every week. You have made me merry with the female frolic with the
miser. But I hope the females will leave off their attachment to coffee.
I assure you the best families in this place have left off, in a great
measure, the use of West India goods. We must bring ourselves to live
upon the produce of our own country. What would I give for some of your
cider? Milk has become the breakfast of many of the wealthiest and
genteelest families here.
Fenno put me into a kind of frenzy to go home, by the description he
gave me, last night, of the fertility of the season, the plenty of fish,
etc., etc., etc., in Boston and about it. I am condemned to this place,
a miserable exile from everything that is agreeable to me. God will my
banishment shall not last long.