As my disorder was perfectly free from danger, I thought it needless
to repeat _every_ post, that I was in a good deal of pain: but I
seize the first opportunity of telling you that the enemy appears
to be raising the siege, and that he makes a regular and gradual
retreat: the pain is gone, the swellings diminished, my strength is
returning; this morning for the first time I enjoyed the luxury of
using crutches, and I aspire to the superior luxury of throwing them
away. In the course of my recovery you may depend on my prudence.
Adieu! dear Madam, I sincerely envy your loving couple: but be
pleased to remember that _they_ are only twenty.
I am
Most truly yours,
E. GIBBON.
326.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Friday, November 14th, 1777.
*I do not like this disorder on your eyes: and when I consider your
temperance and activity, I cannot understand why any spring of the
machine should ever be deranged. With regard to myself, the Gout has
behaved in a very honourable manner; after a compleat conquest, and
after making me feel his power for some days, the generous Enemy has
disdained to abuse his victory or torment any longer an unresisting
victim. He has already ceased to torture the lower extremities of
your humble servant; the swelling is so amazingly diminished that
they are no longer above twice their ordinary size. Yesterday I
moved about the room with the laborious majesty of crutches; to-day
I have exchanged them for a stick; and by the beginning of next
week, I hope, with due precaution, to take the air and to inure
myself for the interesting representation of Thursday. How cursedly
unlucky! I wanted to see you both; a thousand things to say and to
hear, and every scheme of that kind broke to pieces. If you are not
able to come to Bentinck Street, I must contrive to steal three or
four vacant days during the Session, and run down to Sheffield. The
town fills, and I begin to have numerous levers and couchers, more
properly the latter. We are still in expectation, but in the mean
while we believe (I mean Ministers) that the news of Howe's victory
and the taking of Philadelphia are true.[374] Adieu.*
[374] General (afterwards Sir William) Howe defeated Washington
at Brandywine on September 11, 1777, and took possession of
Philadelphia on the 27th.
327.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Saturday Night, 30th November, 1777.
Your feaver, rhumatism, confinement and the use of a strange hand
make me very uneasy. If I thought I could be of any use, I would in
spite of Parliament[375] immediately run down; but I do most heartily
advise, beg and intreat that, as soon as you are fit for motion, you
would come to town, and consult about the best method of putting an
end to this tedious complaint. For myself, I have almost forgot the
gout. No alteration as to the public: Much debating, little hopes and
no news. Your Inn business I will skilfully manage either in person,
or by my faithful Minister, and you may depend on the earliest
account of it. You asked about the Highlander: he is still in his
mountains. I fear Mrs. G. expects me at Christmas, but I _really_
prefer Sheffield, and will try to defer the Bath journey till Easter.
Do not however reckon upon my success. Adieu.
[375] The Parliamentary session opened on November 18.
[Sidenote: WEARY OF THE WAR.]
328.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
Monday night, December, 1777.
*I congratulate your noble firmness, as I suppose it must arise from
the knowledge of some hidden resources which will enable us to open
the next Campaign with new armies of 50 or 60,000 men. But I believe
you will find yourself obliged to carry on this glorious War almost
alone. It would be idle to dispute any more about politics, as we
shall so soon have an opportunity of a personal combat. Your journey
gives me some hopes that you have not entirely lost your reason.*
Your bed shall be ready. Caplin has conversed with your Tenant, but
his demands were certainly excuses, as he has given over all thoughts
of the enterprize: possibly you may be more successful. Adieu. I do
not embrace My lady, as she seems to decline accompanying you. Her
conduct is shameful and unnatural.
329.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
December 2nd, 1777.
By the enclosed you will see that America is not _yet_ Conquered.
Opposition are very lively,[376] and though in the house we keep our
numbers, there seems to be a universal desire of peace even on the
most humble conditions. Are you still fierce?
[376] Lord Chatham, in the House of Lords, moved an amendment
to the address, that the army should be recalled, the late Acts
rescinded, and every effort used to reunite with America. The
same motion was made in the Lower House. But the amendments
were rejected by large majorities in both Houses. On December
2, Fox moved for a committee of the whole House to inquire into
the state of the nation, including the expenses and resources
of the nation, the loss of men, the state of trade, the present
situation of the war, our foreign relations, and the progress
made by the Commissioners in bringing about peace. Lord North
accepted the motion, and the committee sat for the first time
on February 2, 1778. Parliament was adjourned from December 11,
1777, to January 20, 1778.
[Sidenote: SARATOGA.]
330.
_To J. B. Holroyd, Esq._
House of Commons, Thursday, Dec. 4th, 1777.
Dreadful news indeed. You will see them partly in the papers, and we
have not yet any particulars. An English army of nearly 10,000 men
laid down their arms and surrendered prisoners of war, on condition
of being sent to England and of never serving against America.[377]
They had fought bravely, and were three days without eating.
Burgoyne is said to have received three wounds. General Frazer[378]
with 2000 men, killed. Colonel Ackland[379] likewise killed. A
general cry for peace. Adieu. We have constant late days.
[377] General Burgoyne, after capturing Ticonderoga, pushed
forwards towards the Hudson River, intending to invade the United
States from the side of Canada. His supplies began to fail. The
American forces gathered at Saratoga, and after several days'
fighting, surrounded the British troops, whose strength was
reduced to three thousand five hundred men. On October 17, 1777,
Burgoyne surrendered to General Gates.
[378] Simon Fraser had served under Wolfe at Quebec with the
Fraser Highlanders, and commanded a brigade during Burgoyne's
campaign. Mortally wounded on October 7, 1777, he died October
8, and was buried, under a heavy fire, in one of the British
redoubts.
[379] John Dyke Acland, best known by the devotion of his wife,
Lady Harriet, was wounded and taken prisoner at Saratoga (October
9). He died in October, 1778, from a cold caught at a duel on
Bampton Down, in Devonshire. He was then M.P. for Callington, in
Cornwall.
[Sidenote: DESPAIRS OF COERCING AMERICA.]
331.
_To his Stepmother._
Bentinck Street, December 16th, 1777.