[dateline] Boston Sept. 4th. 1777
[salute] My dear Sir
I thank you for yours of the 12th. and 18th August which came safe to hand. I am much
Gratified by seeing some Account of your plans, and Operations Abroad. Your good Lady
Obliged me with A Sight of A Letter of A similar kind She received from you some time
since.
1 I think on the whole they are as well as we could Expect, and perhaps in A better
way than our Enemies ever had An Idea of. I shall soon forward the Inclosed to the
Foot of the Hill
[as] directed. Schuyler's Letters at the same time they discover Marks of Timidity unworthy
A General, Exhibit A Spirit of rancour, partiality and Malevolence to this state Unworthy
A Commissary or quarter Master, which Station he is said to be qualified for. His
Representations are Extreemly Injurious, and I hope we are not to suffer for his Negligence
&c. The Change in that department has given great Satisfaction here and with the Enquiry
Ordered to be made, has again Engaged the Confidence of the People. I hope every one
will have his deserts. It is at least time to Check the Insolence of any Officer that
shall dare to make any State the Object of his Malice, and Indecent reflections.
Burgoin is indeed treading dangerous Ground. I Expect to hear of his makeing A Sudden
retreat to save him and his Army. We have Exerted ourselves and sent A fine reinforcement
who I hope are all up before this time. A very pretty Body of Militia had as I am
Informed marched to Connecticut River in their way to the Army and were turned back
by some Generals Aid de Camp because they would not Engage to stay 3 months. These
were voluntiers and consisted of about 1200, but I will know more of the history of
this matter.
I Congratulate you on the Success of our Arms at the Northward and Westward, very
pretty Affairs indeed, and to be done by the poor despised Militia too will give singular
pleasure to some people.
2 We have just heard of Sullivans bringing of a number of prisoners from Staten Island,
tho' not without some Loss.
We also hear that you have found Howe. I Congratulate you also in being freed from
Conjecture on that head. I hope our Army will give A good Account of him. He seems
to have a great Fancy for a Trip to Philadelphia. Is it to shew his respects to Congress,
or does Administration suppose that the possession of
{ 282 } that City will be the Conquest of America. It is certainly a favourite plan. Our Committee
sets on A Constitution of Goverment this day. The Court Meets next Week. Our Navy
Board is met. How shall I Attend these several departments. We have no News. Some
valuable prizes have Arrived, perticularly A Ship with 1600 hoghds. salt &c. from
Liverpool.
3 It Appears by all her Letters that they Expect the British Troops were in possession
of Philadelphia at that time (June). This shews to me Howes destination, if we had
no other Evidence. I shall trouble you again soon. In the mean time Bid you Adeiu
and am Yours Sincerely.
The State of our Currency is in A wretched Situation and requires the most Capital
Attention. Taxation grows more popular here, and I beleive the Assembly will risque
a Tax of 3 if not 400,000£. I shall write you hereafter on the subject of Oeconomy,
and how difficult it is to practice it.
The disposition of the vacant Lands, I have no doubt may be made to furnish Ample
resources, but I have some Apprehensions of the distant Consequences if Foreigners
gain large and Extensive Grants and make settlements. However I dare say you will
Consider this matter and its Consequences.