I last evening received a line from Boston to hasten my letter down or I
should again lose an opportunity of conveyance. I was most unfortunate
by the _Firebrand's_ sailing and leaving all my letters behind. A storm
prevented my sending on the day appointed, and she sailed by sunrise the
next morning. Though my letters were in town by nine o'clock, they
missed. I know, if she arrive, how disappointed you will feel.
I received from France by the _Alexander_ yours, bearing no date, but,
by the contents, written about the same time with those I received by
Mr. Guild. Shall I return the compliment, and tell you in a poetical
style,--
"Should at my feet the world's great master fall,
Himself, his world, his throne, I'd scorn them all"?
No. Give me the man I love; you are neither of an age or temper to be
allured by the splendor of a Court or the smiles of princesses. I never
suffered an uneasy sensation on that account. I know I have a right to
your whole heart, because my own never knew another lord; and such is my
confidence in you, that if you were not withheld by the strongest of all
obligations, those of a moral nature, your honor would not suffer you to
abuse my confidence.
But whither am I rambling? We have not anything in the political way
worth noticing. The fleet of our allies still remains with us.
Who is there left that will sacrifice as others have done; Portia, I
think, stands alone, alas, in more senses than one. This vessel will
convey to you the packets designed for the _Firebrand_. I hope,
unimportant as they are, they will not be lost.
Shall I close here, without a word of my voyage? I believe it is best to
wait a reply, before I say anything further. Our friends desire me to
remember them to you. Your daughter, your image, your superscription,
desires to be affectionately remembered to you. Oh, how many of the
sweet domestic joys do you lose by this separation from your family. I
have the satisfaction of seeing my children thus far in life behaving
with credit and honor. God grant the pleasing prospect may never meet
with an alloy, and return to me the dear partner of my early years,
rewarded for his past sacrifices by the consciousness of having been
extensively useful, not having lived to himself alone; and may the
approving voice of his country crown his later days in peaceful
retirement, in the affectionate bosom of