Braintree
May 4, 1775
I have but little news to write you. Every
thing of that kind you will learn by a more accurate hand than mine;
things remain much in the same situation here that they were when you went
away, there has been no Desent upon the sea coast.
Guards are regularily kept, and people seem more settled, and are returning to
their husbandry. -- I feel somewhat lonesome. Mr. Thaxter is
gone home, Mr. Rice is going into the Army as captain of a
company. We have no School. I know not what to do with John.
-- As Goverment is assumed I suppose Courts of
justice will be established, and in that case there may be Buisness to do. If so would it not be best for
Mr. Thaxter to return? They seem to be discouraged in the
study of Law, and think there never will be any buisness for them. I could have wishd they had consulted you upon the subject before you
went away. Mr. Rice has asked my advice? I tell him I would
have him act his pleasure. I dont chuse to advise him
either way. -- I suppose you will receive 2 or 3 Vol. of that forlorn Wretches
Hutchisons Letters. Among many other things I hear he wrote in
1772 that Deacon Philips and you had like
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to have
been chosen into the Counsel, but if you had you should have shared the same
fate
of with Bowers. May the fate of Mordeca be his. --
There is no body admitted into Town yet. I have made two or 3 attempts to get
somebody in, but cannot succeed, so have not been able to do the
Buisness you left in charge with me. -- I want very
much to hear from you, how you stood your journey, and in what state you find
yourself now. I felt very anxious about you
tho I
endeavourd to be very insensible and
heroick, yet my heart felt like a heart of
Led. The same Night you left me I heard of
Mr. Quincys Death, which at this time was
[illegible] [illegible] a most melancholy Event,
especially as he wrote in
minets which he left
behind that he had matters of
concequence
intrusted with him, which for want of a confident must die with him. -- I went
to see his distressed
widdow last Saturday at the
Coll. and in the afternoon from an
allarm they had, she and her sister, with three others
of the family took refuge with me, and tarried all night. She desired me to
present her regards to you, and let you know she wished you every blessing,
should always esteem you as
the a a sincere Friend of her
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deceased husband. Poor afflicted woman, my heart was wounded for
her. -- I must quite the subject, and
intreet you to
write me by every opportunity. Your Mother desires to be
rememberd to you. She is with me now. The children send
Duty, and their Mamma unfeigned Love.
Yours,
Portia
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[Envelope -- see page image]
