[dateline] Boston 7th June 1779
[salute] Honble. Sir
I have the Honor to acquaint you that I arrived here the 29th Ultimo via St. Eustatia,
sufficiently tired with the tedious Rout I have taken since I left Paris. I was much
disappointed in not embarking directly from Holland to America. All my Persuasions
with the Dutch, to send out a Vessel for this Continent, proved fruitless; when I
had no other Resource left but to come out by the Way of the West Indies, and had
embarked, was detained fifty days in the Texel for a Wind, and then followed a passage
of 45 days; my Patience was pretty well put to the Test, instead of revisiting my
native Shore in two Months, as I flatter'd myself when I left Passy, triple the time
had elaps'd before I set foot in Virginia; often Sir did I wish myself by your Fire
side, affording you any little Assistance in your important Business, but it was then
too late.
On my Arrival at 'Statia I expected to be detained several Months, on Account of Business,
and therefore forwarded by a Vessel, recommended as sailing very fast, and deliver'd
to the Care a Gentleman in the Continental Service who went Passenger, your Letter
for Congress
{ 77 } and all other Letters for Friends, enclosing them to the president of Congress.
1 The Vessel was unfortunately taken and the Letters lost.
On my Arrival in Philada. I deliver'd a Memorial to Congress respecting my time and
Services, in going over with Dispatches to France and my Employment while there; agreeable
to the Mode I had the Honor of mentioning to you, Congress unanimously as I was informed
granted the prayer of the Memorial, and referr'd the Matter to the Treasury Board
for some Gratuity, who thought it best to refer it to the Council of this State, before
whom it at present lays.
2
You will doubtless receive from Congress and others by this Opportunity all the News
worthy notice. It would have afforded me the greatest pleasure and I must confess
I fully expected to see the same Virtue Firmness and Stability, which first calld
forth the noble Exertions of my Countrymen in this glorious Cause still animating
them not only respecting what more immediately regarded the War, but in all other
political points the necessary Attendants of it; I don't mean to intimate that we
have grown so sluggish and heavy, or have so far lost our first principles, or are
even so tired with the War as tamely to see our Country become a prey to our Invaders,
no Sir. Our Virtue is still
most conspicuous in this Respect, and our Armies are formidable, not-withstanding the
Depreciation of our Currency, but even if this was annihilated the determined Union
that prevails in this Instance will rouse a sufficient Force to repel our Foes. The
present Campaign its probable, from the first British Onset will be carried on with
Vigor, they have lately sent a Party to Virginia and there got footing in Portsmouth
3 from which place expect to be soon informed of Ravages commited, but we are now a
little inured to such Depredations, which rather exasperate than intimidate and the
Name of a Briton has here become a proverb for Cruelty. It may however shortly return
on their own Heads. They also still remain in the unfavorable Climate of Georgia,
and expect soon to hear they are attempting Descents in N England. What Steps Genl.
Washington will take in Consequence of these Manoeuvres you will soon be acquainted
with, its probable he will give a good Account of them. I must beg leave to refer
your Honor to the enclosed News papers for further particulars, as I have many Letters
to write by this Vessel which will sail to morrow.
You may remember Sir I alway mentiond Mr. D with Respect when I was in France, and
setting aside his commercial Transactions to which I was ever a Stranger I shall always
speak of him respectfully. I am sorry he has since his Arrival upon the Continent
adopted such a Mode in order to vindicate his Character and to bring others before
the
{ 78 } public Scrutiny, herein he has acted very impolitic and has blown up a Blast which
he will not easily extinguish.——
4 have been greatly divided in this unfortunate Dispute, hope it will terminate
[in?] the general Good.
I shall with Permission do myself the Honor of writing you from time to time what
is transacting in this part of the World and shall think myself particularly noticed
to receive a Line from you now and then. Give me Leave Sir, before I finish this Letter
to ask if You Dr. F. or Mr. L. are agreeably furnished with Secretarys. I am enduced
to be thus free, as I am not certain but I shall take another Voyage to France, and
if there is any Employment in this or any other way that you should think worthy my
Acceptance, I should esteem it an Honor if you'd inform me of it, or intimate it to
Congress.
I have a little Tea for Mrs. A——which I shall wait on her with and deliver her, as
soon as my Baggage arrives in Town. Please to present my most respectfull Compliments
to Dr. Franklin and Dr. Lee. Being with perfect Respect & Attachment Honble. Sir Your
most Obedient & very humble Servant,
[signed] J. Loring Austin
5