At Sea, not far from the Grand
Bank of N. F. L., 29 November, 1779.
My dearest Friend,--A brave fellow from Boston, Captain Carr, gives me
an opportunity of writing one line, to let you know that we are all very
well thus far. Charles behaves quite as well as John, and lies in my
room anights. Mr. Dana has been very sick, but is now pretty well. We
are now out of all danger of the _Romulus_ and _Virginia_, and I hope
have little to fear from the enemy. We have had one storm, which made
us all seasick, but brought us on well in our course. I wish I could
write to you these two hours, but time fails. Ships cannot wait for each
other at sea.
My love to Nabby and Tommy. Tell them to mind their studies. Tell Nabby
though she has lost her French master for some time, I hope she will
persevere, and perhaps a French mistress in her mamma may do better.
Duty to your father, my mother, brothers, sister, etc., etc. Don't fail
to let me know how the Constitution[209] goes on.
I write this on my knees, and the ship rolls so that I write worse than
common.