University of Virginia Library

TO WILLIAM BRADFORD, JR.

We are very busy at present in raising men and
procuring the necessaries for defending ourselves and
our friends in case of a sudden invasion. The extensiveness
of the demands of the Congress, and
the pride of the British nation, together with the
wickedness of the present ministry, seem, in the judgment
of our politicians, to require a preparation for
extreme events. There will, by the Spring I expect,
be some thousands of well-trained, high-spirited men
ready to meet danger whenever it appears, who are
influenced by no mercenary principles, but bearing
their own expenses, and having the prospect of no
recompense but the honor and safety of their country.

I suppose the inhabitants of your Province are
more reserved in their behavior, if not more easy in
their apprehension, from the prevalence of Quaker
principles and politics. The Quakers are the only
people with us who refuse to accede to the Continental
association. I cannot forbear suspecting them to be
under the control and direction of the leaders of the
party in your quarter; for I take those of them that
we have to be too honest and simple to have any
sinister or secret views, and I do not observe anything
in the association inconsistent with their religious
principles. When I say they refuse to accede to the

association, my meaning is that they refuse to sign it;
that being the method used among us to distinguish
friends from foes, and to oblige the common people to
a more strict observance of it. I have never heard
whether the like method has been adopted in the
other Governments.

I have not seen the following in print, and it seems
to be so just a specimen of Indian eloquence and
mistaken valor, that I think you will be pleased with
it. You must make allowance for the unskilfulness
of the interpreters.

The speech of Logan, a Shawanese Chief, to
Lord Dunmore:

"I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered
Logan's cabin hungry, and I gave him not meat; if
ever he came cold or naked, and I gave him not clothing.
During the course of the last long and bloody
war, Logan remained idle in his tent, an advocate for
peace; nay, such was my love for the whites, that
those of my country pointed at me as they passed by,
and said 'Logan is the friend of white men.' I had
even thought to live with you but for the injuries of
one man. Col. Cressop, the last spring, in cold blood
and unprovoked, cut off all the relations of Logan,
not sparing even my women and children. There
runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any
human creature. This called on me for revenge. I
have sought it; I have killed many; I have fully
glutted my vengence. For my country I rejoice at
the beams of peace; but do not harbor a thought that
mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He

will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there
to mourn for Logan?—not one!"

If you should see any of our friends from Princeton
a little before the time of your intending to write
to me, and could transmit any little intelligence
concerning the health, &c., of my little brother
there, it would be very acceptable to me, and very
gratifying to a fond mother; but I desire it may
only be done when it will cost you less than five
words.

We had with us a little before Christmas the Rev.
Moses Allen, on his return from Boston to Charlestown.
He told me he came through Philadelphia,
but did not see you, though he expresses a singular
regard for you, and left his request with me that you
would let him hear from you whenever it is convenient,
promising to return the kindness with punctuality.
He travelled with considerable equipage for a dissenting
ecclesiastic, and seems to be willing to superadd
the airs of the fine gentleman to the graces of the
spirit. I had his company for several days, during
which time he preached two sermons with general
approbation. His discourses were above the common
run some degree; and his appearance in the pulpit on
on the whole was no discredit to [......?] He retains
too much of his pristine levity, but promises amendment.
I wish he may for the sake of himself, his
friends, and his flock. I only add that he seems to be
one of those geniuses that are formed for shifting in
the world rather than shining in a college, and that I
really believe him to possess a friendly and generous
disposition.

You shall ere long hear from me again. Till then,
Vive, vale et Lœtare.