Since I arrived here I have really had a scene quite novel to me.
The brig Defence, from Connecticut, put in here for ballast. The
officers, who are all from thence, and who are intimately acquainted at
Dr. Lothrop's, invited his lady to come on board, and bring with her as
many of her friends as she could collect.
She sent an invitation to our friend, Mrs. Warren, and to us.
The brig lay about a mile and a half from town. The officers sent their
barge, and we went. Every mark of respect and attention which was in
their power, they showed us. She is a fine brig, mounts sixteen guns,
twelve swivels, and carries one hundred and twenty men.
A hundred and seventeen were on board, and no private
family ever appeared under better regulation then the crew. It was as
still as though there had been only half a dozen; not a profane word
among any of them. The captain himself is an exemplary man. Harden
(his name) has been in nine sea engagements; says if he gets a man
who swears, and finds he cannot reform him, he turns him on shore, yet
is free to confess, that it was the sin of his youth.
He has one lieutenant, a very fine fellow, Smelden by name.
We spent a very agreeable afternoon, and drank tea on board. They
showed us their arms, which were sent by Queen Anne, and everything
on board was a curiosity to me. They gave us a mock engagement with
an enemy, and the manner of taking a ship.
The young folks went upon the quarter deck and danced.
Some of their Jacks played very well upon the violin and German flute.
The brig bears the
Continental colors, and was fitted out by the Colony of Connecticut. As
we set off from the brig, they fired their guns in honor to us, a
ceremony I would very readily have dispensed with.
[[157]]
Mrs. Adams, wife of John Adams, later
President of the United States, wrote these three letters to her husband
while he was at the Congress in Philadelphia She lived at Braintree
(now Quincy), near Boston.
[[158]]
The Tories were those who took the British
side.
[[159]]
Episcopal clergyman.
[[160]]
In Boston Harbor.
[[161]]
Mrs. Adams often called herself Portia. She
was thought to be like the wife of Roman Brutus.
