Braintree
May 7, 1775
I received by the Deacon two Letters from you this
Day from
Hartford. I feel a recruit of spirits upon the reception of
them, and the comfortable news which they contain. We had not heard any thing
from
N. Carolina before, and could not help feeling anxious least we
should find a defection there, arising more from their ancient feuds and
animosities, than from any setled ill will in the
present contest. But the confirmation of the choise
of their Delagates by their assembly leaves not a
doubt of their firmness, nor doth the Eye say unto the hand I have no need of
thee, the Lord will not cast of his people neither will he forsake his
inheritance. Great Events are most certainly in the womb of futurity and if the
present chastisement which we experience have a proper influence upon our
conduct, the Event will most certainly be in our favour. -- The Distresses of the inhabitants of
Boston are beyond the power of language to discribe. There are but very few who are permitted to
come out in a day. They delay giving passes, make them wait from hour to hour,
and their counsels are not two hours together alike. One day they shall come
out with their Effects, the next Day merchandise are not Effects. One day their
household furtinuture is to come out, the next
only weareing apparrel,
and the next Pharaohs heart is hardned, and he
refuseth
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to
hearken unto them and will
not let the people go. May their deliverence be wrought out for them as it was
for the Children of
Israel. I do not mean by miracles
by [illegible] but by the interposition of heaven in their
favour. They have taken a list of all those who they
suppose were
concernd in watching the tea, and
every other person who they call obnoxious, and they and their Effects are to
suffer
distruction. Poor
EddsEads escaped out of town last night with one Ayers
in a small boat, and was fired upon, but got safe and came up to
Braintree
to day. His name it seems was
upon the black list. -- I find it impossible to get
any
body in with any surty of their returning again. I have sent to
Walthham but cannot hear
any
thing of Mr. Cushings Son. I wish you would write
me whether Mr. Cushing left any directions what should be done
in that affair. -- I hear that Mr. Bromfield has Letters for
you, and young Dr. Jarvis has more, but cannot get at them. --
Pray write me every opportunity
every thing that
transpires.
Every body desires to be
rememberd to you -- it would fill the paper to
name them. I wrote you once before. Let me know whether you have received it.
-- You dont say one word about your Health. I hope it was comfortable and will
continue so.
It will be a great comfort to know that it is so to your
Portia
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[Envelope -- see page image]
