Six months have already elapsed since I heard a syllable from you or my
dear son, and five since I have had one single opportunity of conveying
a line to you. Letters of various dates have lain months at the Navy
Board, and a packet and frigate, both ready to sail at an hour's
warning, have been months waiting the orders of Congress. They no doubt
have their reasons, or ought to have, for detaining them. I must
patiently wait their motions, however painful it is; and that it is so,
your own feelings will testify. Yet I know not but you are less a
sufferer than you would be to hear from us, to know our distresses, and
yet be unable to relieve them. The universal cry for bread, to a humane
heart, is painful beyond description, and the great price demanded and
given for it verifies that pathetic passage of Sacred Writ, "All that a
man hath will he give for his life." Yet He who miraculously fed a
multitude with five loaves and two fishes has graciously interposed in
our favor, and delivered many of the enemy's supplies into our hands, so
that our distresses have been mitigated. I have been able as yet to
supply my own family, sparingly, but at a price that would astonish you.
Corn is sold at four dollars, hard money, per bushel, which is equal to
eighty at the rate of exchange.
Labor is at eight dollars per day, and in three weeks it will be at
twelve, it is probable, or it will be more stable than anything else.
Goods of all kinds are at such a price that I hardly dare mention it.
Linens are sold at twenty dollars per yard; the most ordinary sort of
calicoes at thirty and forty; broadcloths at forty pounds per yard; West
India goods full as high; molasses at twenty dollars per gallon; sugar
four dollars per pound; bohea tea at forty dollars; and our own produce
in proportion; butcher's meat at six and eight shillings per pound;
board at fifty and sixty dollars per week; rates high. That, I suppose,
you will rejoice at; so would I, did it remedy the evil. I pay five
hundred dollars, and a new Continental rate has just appeared, my
proportion of which will be two hundred more. I have come to this
determination, to sell no more bills, unless I can procure hard money
for them, although I shall be obliged to allow a discount. If I sell for
paper, I throw away more than half, so rapid is the depreciation; nor do
I know that it will be received long. I sold a bill to Blodget at five
for one, which was looked upon as high at that time. The week after I
received it, two emissions were taken out of circulation, and the
greater part of what I had proved to be of that sort; so that those to
whom I was indebted are obliged to wait, and before it becomes due, or
is exchanged, it will be good for--as much as it will fetch, which will
be nothing, if it goes on as it has done for this three months past. I
will not tire your patience any longer. I have not drawn any further
upon you. I mean to wait the return of the _Alliance_, which with
longing eyes I look for. God grant it may bring me comfortable tidings
from my dear, dear friend, whose welfare is so essential to my happiness
that it is entwined around my heart and cannot be impaired or separated
from it without rending it asunder.
In contemplation of my situation, I am sometimes thrown into an agony
of distress. Distance, dangers, and oh, I cannot name all the fears
which sometimes oppress me, and harrow up my soul. Yet must the common
lot of man one day take place, whether we dwell in our own native land
or are far distant from it. That we rest under the shadow of the
Almighty is the consolation to which I resort, and find that comfort
which the world cannot give. If He sees best to give me back my friend,
or to preserve my life to him, it will be so.
Our worthy friend, Dr. Winthrop[206] is numbered with the great
congregation, to the inexpressible loss of Harvard College.
"Let no weak drop
Be shed for him. The virgin, in her bloom
Cut off, the joyous youth, and darling child,
These are the tombs that claim the tender tear
And elegiac song. But Winthrop calls
For other notes of gratulation high,
That now he wanders through those endless worlds
He here so well descried, and wondering talks,
And hymns their Author with his glad compeers."
The testimony he gave with his dying breath, in favor of revealed
religion, does honor to his memory and will endear it to every lover of
virtue. I know not who will be found worthy to succeed him.
Congress have not yet made any appointment of you to any other Court.
There appears a dilatoriness, an indecision, in their proceedings. I
have in Mr. Lovell an attentive friend, who kindly informs me of
everything which passes relative to you and your situation, and gives me
extracts of your letters both to himself and others. I know you will be
unhappy whenever it is not in your power to serve your country, and wish
yourself at home, where at least you might serve your family. I cannot
say that I think our affairs go very well here. Our currency seems to be
the source of all our evils. We cannot fill up our Continental army by
means of it. No bounty will prevail with them. What can be done with it?
It will sink in less than a year. The advantage the enemy daily gains
over us is owing to this. Most truly did you prophesy, when you said
that they would do all the mischief in their power with the forces they
had here.
Many letters are lying in Boston for you, which have been written
months. My good uncle Smith yesterday let me know that a letter of
marque, bound for Nantes, would sail in a day or two. I eagerly seized
the opportunity, and beg you to give my blessing to my son, to whom I
have not time now to write. I dare not trust myself with the idea, nor
can express how ardently I long to see both parent and son. Our whole
family has enjoyed great health in your absence; daughter and sons, who
delight in talking of papa and brother, present their duty and love. I
shall not write for anything until the _Alliance_ returns, and I find
what success she has had.
My tenderest regards ever attend you. In all places and situations, know
me to be ever, ever yours.