I have misst my Good Friend Col. W
[arre]n from Watertown in the conveyance of my Letters; you make no mention of more than
one, write me how many you have had and what the dates were. I wrote
{ 379 } you upon the 17 of March.
1 Perticuliars it was not then posible to obtain; and after that I thought every pen
would be imployed in writing to you a much more accurate account than I could give
you.
The Fleet lay in the Road allmost a fortnight after the Town was evacuated; in that
time Major Tuper came with a Body of Men to G[e]r[man]t[ow]n and procured two Lighters, (one of them was that of which you are part owner) and
fitted them with every sort of combustable Matters, Hand Grenades &c. in order to
set fire to the Fleet, but the very day he was ready they saild and it was said that
they had inteligence from Boston of the design. However he carried the Lighters up
to Town for the next Fleet that appears.
Fort Hill is a fortifying I suppose in the best Manner, committes have been appointed
to survey the Islands &c. but we are scanty of Men, tis said we have not more than
2000 Effective Men left, and the General thought it necessary to take the Heavy cannon
with him. We have many peices spiked up which they are imployed in cleaning, about
an 100 peices I have heard was left at the Castle with their trunnels broke or spiked.
The Castle you have no doubt heard was burnt by the Troops before they saild, and
an attempt made to blow up the walls in which however they did not succeed any further
than to shatter them.
There are so many things necessary to be done that I suppose Buisness moves slowly.
At present we all seem to be so happy and so tranquil, that I sometimes think we want
another Fleet to give some energy and spirit to our motions. But there has been a
great overturn and people seem to be hardly recoverd from their amazement. Many Building
[s] in Town sustaind great damages more perticuliarly at the South end, the Furniture
of many houses was carried of or broken in peices. Dr. Gardiner left all his furniture
and Medicine valued tis said at 400 Sterling. Dr. Loyd is still in Town, Dr. Whitworth
too, both ought to be transported.
2 Mr. Goldwait
[is] in Town
[and] all the Records of which he had the care safe, tho it seems part of them were carried
into Boston. All the papers relating to the probate courts are missing.
3 Mr. Lovel and all the prisoners taken at the
Charlstown Battle are carried of. The Bells are all in Town, never were taken down.
The officers and Tories have lived a life of Dissipation. Inclosed is a prologue of
Burgoines, with a parody written in Boston soon after it was acted.—Burgoine is a
Better poet than Soldier.
4
As to goods of any kind, we cannot tell what quantity there is. Only two or three
Shops open. Goods at a most extravagant price—all the better to promote Manufactures.
The small pox prevents my going to Town; several have broke out
{ 380 } with it in the Army since they went into Boston. I cannot help wishing that it would
spread.
5 I think the Country is in more danger than ever. I am anxious about it. If it should
spread there is but one thing would prevent my going down to our own House and having
it with all our children and I dont know but I should be tempted to run you in debt
for it.
There is talk of raising an other Regiment. If they should I fear we shall suffer
in our Husbandery. Labour is very high. I cannot hire a Man for six months under 20
pounds Lawfull money.
The Works upon the Neck are levelling. We keep Guards upon the Shoars yet.—Manly has
taken a vessel Load of Tories. Among them is Black the Scotchman and Brasen head Jackson,
Hill the Baker &c. What can be done with them. I think they ought to be transported
to England. I would advertize for tory transports.
Hanover has made large quantities of salt peter.
This week we are to hold court here, but I do not imagine any thing will be done.
I have a Letter from you the 29 of March. Tis said there is one from Mr. Gerry the
3 of April acquainting us with your opening trade. Who is the writer of Common Sense,
of Cato, of Casandra?
6
I wish you would according to promise write me an account of Lord Sterling. We know
nothing about him here.
All the Tories look crest fallen. Several deserters from on board the commodore
['s] ship say that tis very sickly on board. We have only that and two or 3 cutters beside's.
7 We fear that a Brig laiden with 70 tons of powder which saild from Newbury port has
fallen into the enemys hands upon her return.
Pray continue to write me by every opportunity, the writing Books were very acceptable
presents.
I rejoice in the Southern Victorys. The oration was a very elegant performance, but
not without much Art—a few Strokes which to me injure the performance.
8
I know not any thing further which I ought to say but that I am most affectionately
Yours.