[dateline] [Braintree, 29 September 1778]
It is difficult my dearest Friend at the instant in which the Heart finds itself dissapointed
of some darling hope, to avoid reflexions that however, our cooler reasons dissaproves.
I know not whether the pleasure I had in hearing that you were in Health the 10 of
last June, was eaquel to the pain I endured in not receiving one Single line from
you by the vessel which arrived last week from Nants in a passage of fourty days on
board of which came a French Gentleman passenger from whom my Friends have kindly
collected the state of your Health.
<If there had not been publick dispatches on board>1
It is painfull to me to tell you that I have never received a line from you since
those which were dated in April, tho I have reason to think you have received several
Letters from me. I will not suggest an Idea that you have not wrote, or entertain
a suspicion that distance, length of time, change of climate or any other cause could
render you less mindfull of your country, less thoughtfull of your Friends or less
solicitious for the welfare of your family, since so many hazardous circumstances
may have arrisen and deprived me of the repeated testimonies of your affection. I
dare aver that the Sea can witness for you that you have not been unmindfull of your
Friends. Four vessels bound from Bordeaux to Boston have fallen into the hands of
the Enemy. I
must suppose I have lost letters on board of them. If I had realized
{ 95 } before you left me that the intercourse between us would have been so hazardous, I
fear my magninimnity would have faill'd me. Expectation has so long and so often been
combatted by dissapointment that I feel myself unhappy, my Spirits which were naturally
cheerfull are depressed and the enjoyments of life are growing very insiped to me.
<I view myself in a situation by no mean to be envied. I wish for an Education for
my children.>
Our publick affairs which looked so promiseing and so likely to meet with Success
have been remarkabley frownd upon in an expedition against the enchanted Island. Neither
spirit or conduct were wanting. Every one appeard zealous in the cause and determined
by a vigirous effort to crush the vipers who had all collected together into a fort
and gave up their cause as desperate. Count de Estang with his Fleet were to cooperate
with our Army. How appeard of
2 with his Fleet. The Count went out to attack him. A most uncommon storm arose, shatterd
the Fleet to such a degree that it was not thought
prudent to tarry. This at one
3 stroke put an end to the opperations upon the Island, and our troops returnd mortified
enough you may be sure. A small engagement ensued by an attack upon our troops in
which they discoverd what they would have done had they been assisted
4—but I forbear being minute as you will from News papers and other ways collect better
accounts than I can give you. The French Fleet now lie in the Harbour of Boston. The
daily supplies which we are obliged to afford them enhances the price of every article
of life scarce before but now almost incredibley so. We have had a most uncommon hot
and dry season. The months of July and August were the hottest ever known here and
have cut of our corn, our potatoes and every other article. The cry for Bread is such
as I never heard before. Rye 10 dollors a Bushel, Barly 6, corn not to be had, not
one Barrel of cider will be made upon this place this year. The fruit is intirely
cut of nor will there be one
[ . . . ].
5 Flower 50 Dollors per hundred. Whilst Scarcity and want threatens us on one hand,
the pestilence is rageing on the other. The Dyssentery is as mortal as it was 3 years
ago and prevails in the Neighbouring Towns, it has not yet been so mortal in this.
All things look gloomy and melancholy arround me.
As to my own affairs you may recollect the sum you left with me was between 11 and
12 hundred dollors 7 of which I placed in the publick funds, there was a debt due
to the clerk of the court which amounted to 50 dollors which I discharged and another
to the Black Smith amounting to 55. My Rate Bill amounted to 49 pounds, and
{ 96 } the continental Rate to 15, the ministerial Rate raised by contribution. These sums
with the payment of my winter Labourers left me destitute enough but I struggled along
hoping to receive some assistance from you in the articles sent for, but never having
received any thing I must suppose that I have been unfortunate enough to loose them.
I can receive four pounds Lawfull money here for one pound Sterling paid in France.
I have therefore run the venture to draw upon you for 50 pounds Sterling payable to
my Cousin S
[mit]h which order suppose you will receive with this Letter.
6 I
[ha]ve
7 taken this method in preference to
[borro]wing a sum which would subject me
[to] the payment of Interest, and perhaps I might
[be c]alld upon for it when it would not be in
[my] power to discharge it. You will keep in
[m]ind my dear sir that you may not think
[me] lavish that the 2 hundred Lawfull is not
[ea]quel to what 2 hundred old tenor
once was. Those who purchase with hard money give for every necessary of life more than double
what it formerly sold for.
I shall if I can have patience to coppy send Duplicates of this Letter. I enclose
to you some papers and the kind remembrance of all your Friends.