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My dearest Friend
I have delayed writing till the vessel is near ready to Sail, that my Letters may not lay 3 weeks or a month after they are written, as is commonly the case. Mr. Rogers and Lady are going passengers in this vessel; and tho I have only a slight knowledge of them I shall commit my Letters to their care. I have not heard from you since the arrival of Capt. Deshon. Your last Letters were dated in March [John to Abigail, 22 March 1782] [John to Abigail, 29 March 1782] . I replied to them [Abigail to John, 17 June 1782] by the last vessel which saild for France dated about a month ago tho she has not sailed more than a fortnight. I again grow impatient for intelligence. From the last accounts which reachd us by way of Nantys we learn that the Dutch are acquiring a firmness of conduct, that they have acknowledged the independance of America, and are determined to turn a deaf Ear to that prostituted Island of Britain. If this is true, and I sincerely hope it is, I congratulate you upon the Success of your negotiations, and hope your Situation is more eligible than for the time past. If I know you are happy, it will tend to alleiviate the pains of absence.
The Count de Grasse misfortune in the West Indias, we sensibly feel. The British will feed upon it for ages, but it will not save their Nation from the destruction which awaits them.
The Season has advanced thus far without any military Exploit of on either Side. We want the one thing necessary for persueing the War with Vigor. Were we less Luxurious we should be better able to support our Independance with becomeing dignity, but having habituated ourselves to the delicacies of Life, we consider them as necessary, and are unwilling to tread back the path of Simplicity, or reflect that Man
By the Enterprize I gave you a particular
account of the dangerous Situation our dear Brother
Cranch is in. He still continues, but we have little to build our
hopes upon of his long continuance here upon with
us. Heaven be better to us than our fears. The rest of our Friends are
well. Charles has been to see a publick Commencement; and has returned to night much
gratified with the exhibitions. He has followed his Studies with attention,
since his return, under the care of a Mr.
Thomas of
Bridgwater; who appears well calculated for the instruction of
youth; and is said by good judges, to be an admirable proficient in the
Languages. But with him we are obliged to part immediately, as he is going into
Buisness. I know not what to do with my Children.
We have no Grammer School in the Town, nor have we
had for 5 years. I give this Gentleman 2s. 6 pr week a
peice, for my two. I must (could I find a School
abroad to my mind) Board them at 18 Shillings pr week
which is the lowest. In
Boston 6 and 8 dollers is given by
Gentlemen there for Board, formerly a Gentleman Boarded as well for 12
Shillings, but such is the difference.
What think you of your daughters comeing to keep House for you? She proposes it. Could you make a Bridge she would certainly present herself to you, nor would she make an ungracefull appearence at the Head of your table. She is rather too silent. She would please you the better. She frequently mourns the long absence of her Father, but she knows not all she suffers in consequence of it. He would prudently introduce her to the world, which her Mamma thinks proper in a great measure to seclude herself from, and the daughter is too attentive to the happiness of her Mamma to leave her much alone, nor could repeated invitations nor the solicitation of Friends joined to the consent of her Mamma, prevail with her to appear at commencement this year. But much rather would the Mamma and daughter embrace the Husband and Father in his Native Land than think of visiting foreign climes. Will the cottage be sweet? Will Retirement be desirable? Does your Heart pant for domestick tranquility, and for that reciprocation of happiness you was once no stranger to. Is there ought in Courts, in Theaters or Assemblies that can fill the void? Will Ambition, will Fame, will honour do it. Will you not reply -- all, all are inadequate, but whether am I led? I cannot assume an other Subject -- the Heart is softned. Good night.
Sol rises this morning with great splendor. I had much rather have seen his
face overspread with clouds dispenseing their
fruitfull drops to the thirsty earth. It is very
dry. Our Corn suffers. Should we be cut of or shortned in our crops we should more sensibly feel it,
as our celebrated Siberian wheat is universally blasted, and much of the Rye.
Our Success with a little last year led my Tennant to
sow 3 acres this year, which we were obliged to mow for foder. Col.
Quincy succeeded last year, and raised a hundred and sixty Bushels of
as fine wheat as I ever saw, but his Has shared the same fate, and it is so
where ever I hear of it. My favorite
Virmont is a delightfull Grain
Country. I cannot tell why, but I feel a great fondness for the prosperity of
that State. I wrote you in my last that I had laid aside the
thoughts of being an adventurer there for the present -- but soon after
Col. Davis of
Woster to whom the township was granted, with his associates,
brought me the Charter, and the proceedings of Congress with Regard to
Virmont by which it appears that
Virmont had complied with the requisitions of Congress and the
committe to whom, the Matter was committed, report
that having complied they consider Congress as obliged to set them of and
ratify their independance. This Gentleman has
taken pains to have every propriater persons of
character and property and that they should all belong to this State. He says
it is one of the best situated townships in the State, and will rise in value
daily.
Salem is the Name
I have not drawn any Bills and will not if I can possibly help it. I shall have no occasion to, if I can get black and white Gauze and Gauze hankerchiefs. It may not be to the Credit of my country but it is a certain fact, that no articles are so vendible or yeald a greater profit. It was with difficulty I could keep a little for my own use of what I last received. I inclosed a list of articles [Abigail to John, 25 April 1782] by the Enterprize which I wish you to direct Ingraham and Bromfield to forward, and should they meet with the same Success my former adventures have, and arrive safe, they will be much more benificial than drawing Bills upon which I must discount. I shall inclose a duplicate of the articles with an addition of 5 yard of scarlet Broad cloth of the best kind and 3 yard of Sattin of the same coulour which I want for my own use leaving it at all times to you to determine the Quantity which you think proper to remitt.
You have heard I suppose that Gillion arrived at Philadelphia in june. Only two Letters have come to hand. Dr. Waterhouse left him at the Havanah but was unfortunately taken upon his passage home and carried to New York, by which means the rest of the Letters perished. -- I wrote you [Abigail to John, 09 December 1781] by the Alliance respecting the Braintree prisoners, but have not received a line in which you make mention of them. That you took measures to relieve them several have testified to their Friends, but it would be more satisfactory if you had mentiond them yourself. There is in Boston a Mr. Marstins' who belonged on Board Gillion who paid yesterday to Charles in Boston a Jo which he said you lent him. I mention this to his Honour and justice. Of all the money due to you, upon Book or note, I have not received a copper since your absence and must have been distresst but for the remittances you have made me.
I long to receive Letters [illegible] from all my
dear Friends. I wish you would write by way of
France and send your Letters to Mr. Warren. He
would be particuliarly carefull of them. Two vessels have
I say all I can for you, but wish you would find leisure to notice those Friends who write to you. Uncle Q-y [Quincy] desires his regards to you. Your aged Mamma wishes to see you, but fears she never will shall. My Father injoys as Good State of Health as his years will admit. My most affectionate regards to my Dear John from whom I have received but one Letter since his visit to P [Petersburg].
Nabby has just been giving me a Letter for you. I read it, and really beleive the child thinks herself serious; but you can give her better advice. [This enclosed letter has not been found.] Mr. Foster has just sent me word that he designs to wait upon me to morrow for Letters so that I shall give them to Him as he is kind enough to come out to see me. You will not fail to take notice of him.
[Endorsement -- see page image]
Mrs. Warren has left this memorandom with a request that she may have these articles and she will pay the money to me or send to her Son for any thing I may want from France, but at present I know of nothing, so that I should be glad if they are sent they may not be put with any thing which belongs to me, but invoiced and put up by them selves.
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