[dateline] Philadelphia July 26. 1776
[salute] Dear Sir
My Health has lasted much longer, than I expected but at last it fails. The Increasing
Heat of the Weather added to incessant application to Business, without any Intermissions
of Exercise, has relaxed
{ 413 } me, to such a degree that a few Weeks more would totally incapacitate me for any Thing.
I must therefore return home.
There will be no difficulty, in finding Men Suitable to send here. For my own Part,
as General Ward has resigned his Command in the Army, I Sincerely wish you would Send
him here. The Journey would contribute much to the Restoration of his Health, after
the Small Pox, and his Knowledge in the Army and of military Matters is very much
wanted here, at present.
Send Dana along for another, and come yourself by all Means. I should have mentioned
you, in the first Place. Will Lowell do? Or Sewall? You will want four or five new
ones.
Major Hawley must be excused no longer. He may have the Small Pox here without keeping
House an Hour, and without Absence from Congress four days. It would be vastly for
his Health to have it.
Send Palmer, or Lincoln, or Cushing
1 if you will. Somebody you must send. Why will not Mr. Bowdoin or Dr. Winthrop take
a Ride?