 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
TO JOHN ADAMS.
I this day received by the hands of our worthy
friend, a large packet, which has refreshed and comforted
me. Your own sensations have ever been
similar to mine. I need not then tell you how gratified
I am at the frequent tokens of remembrance
with which you favor me, nor how they rouse every
tender sensation of my soul, which sometimes will
find vent at my eyes. Nor dare I described how
earnestly I long to fold to my fluttering heart the
object of my warmest affections; the idea soothes
me. I feast upon it with a pleasure known only to
those whose hearts and hopes are one.
The approbation you give to my conduct in the
management of our private affairs, is very grateful
to me, and sufficiently compensates for all my anxieties
and endeavours to discharge the many duties
devolved upon me in consequence of the absence of
my dearest friend. Were they discharged according
to my wishes, I should merit the praises you bestow.
You see I date from Plymouth. I came upon a
visit to our amiable friends, accompanied by my sister
Betsey, a day or two ago. It is the first night I
have been absent since you left me. Having determined
upon this visit for some time, I put my family
in order and prepared for it, thinking I might leave
it with safety. Yet, the day I set out, I was under
who were seen to have many soldiers on board,
and the determination of the people to go and fortify
upon Long Island, Pettick's Island, Nantasket, and
Great Hill. It was apprehended they would attempt
to land somewhere, but the next morning I had the
pleasure to hear they were all driven out, Commodore
and all; not a transport, a ship, or a tender
to be seen. This shows what might have been long
ago done. Had this been done in season, the ten
transports, with many others, in all probability would
have fallen into our hands; but the progress of wisdom
is slow.
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
than 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
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.
I pity you, and feel for you under all the difficulties
you have to encounter. My daily petitions to
Heaven for you are, that you may have health,
wisdom, and fortitude sufficient to carry you through
the great and arduous business in which you are engaged,
and that your endeavours may be crowned
with success. Canada seems a dangerous and ill-fated
place. It is reported here, that General Thomas
is no more, that he took the smallpox, and died
with it. Every day some circumstance arises, which
shows me the importance of having the distemper
in youth. Dr. Bulfinch has petitioned the General
Court for leave to open a hospital somewhere, and
be one of the first class, you may depend upon it.
I have just this moment heard, that the brig, which
I was on board of on Saturday, and which sailed
yesterday morning from this place, fell in with two
transports, having each of them a hundred and fifty
men on board, and took them, and has brought them
into Nantasket Roads, under cover of the guns which
are mounted there. I will add further particulars as
soon as I am informed.
I am now better informed, and will give you the
truth. The brig Defence, accompanied by a small
privateer, sailed in concert Sunday morning. About
twelve o'clock they discovered two transports, and
made for them. Two privateers, which were small,
had been in chase of them, but finding the enemy
was of much larger force, had run under Cohasset
rocks. The Defence gave a signal gun to bring
them out. Captain Burk, who accompanied the Defence,
being a prime sailer, he came up first, and
poured a broadside on board a sixteen gun brig.
The Defence soon attacked her upon her bows. An
obstinate engagement ensued. There was a continual
blaze upon all sides for many hours, and it
was near midnight before they struck. In the engagement,
the Defence lost one man, and five wounded.
With Burk, not one man received any damage;
on board the enemy, fourteen killed, among
whom was a major, and sixty wounded. They are
part of the Highland soldiers. The other transport
mounted six guns. When the fleet sailed out of this
met six transports coming in, which they carried off
with them. I hope we shall soon be in such a posture
of defence, as to bid them defiance.
I feel no great anxiety at the large armament designed
against us. The remarkable interpositions of
Heaven in our favor cannot be too gratefully acknowledged.
He who fed the Israelites in the wilderness,
"who clothes the lilies of the field, and feeds
the young ravens when they cry," will not forsake a
people engaged in so righteous a cause, if we remember
his loving-kindness. We wanted powder,
—we have a supply. We wanted arms,—we have
been favored in that respect. We wanted hard money,
—twenty-two thousand dollars, and an equal
value in plate, are delivered into our hands.
You mention your peas, your cherries, and your
strawberries, &c. Ours are but just in blossom. We
have had the coldest spring I ever knew. Things
are three weeks behind what they generally used to
be. The corn looks poor. The season now is rather
dry. I believe I did not understand you, when in
a former letter you said, "I want to resign my office,
for a thousand reasons." If you mean that of
judge, I know not what to say. I know it will be a
difficult and arduous station; but, divesting myself
of private interest, which would lead me to be against
your holding that office, I know of no person who
is so well calculated to dischage the trust, or who I
think would act a more conscientious part.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |