the convention of Massachusetts are much divided. Should that state reject it we are ruined. On them depends everything. Every Federal man in this city looks up to your State for our political salvation; for, say they, if Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire accept it tolerably unanimously, this state dare not refuse; but, on the contrary, should they reject it, the anti-federal Junto here. will increase and come forward. The fact is that the sense and property here are universally in favor. This City is very unanimous, but we have, as you have before heard, four or five characters violently opposed; none, however, whose influence is to be feared but Governor Clinton's. His has been astonishingly great in the back countries, but is undoubtedly daily lessening. The Legislature is now sitting at Poughkeepsie, 80 miles up the river. What they will do we are at a loss to determine. That they will appoint a convention we haven't a doubt, but suppose the antifederals will be for delaying its meeting to as distant a period as possible. However, as I said before, almost everything depends on your state. I wish in your next you would dip a little into this subject. Let me know how the convention proceeds and what the prospects are. God forbid that Adams should have much influence among you. We have in the press a pamphlet written by Col. Hamilton, under the signature of Publius, on the subject of a Federal Government, which I will send you by first conveyance. He is, undoubtedly, one of the most sensible men in America, though yet not much more than thirty years old. I hold him one of my warmest friends, and he possesses my undivided esteem. We have no late arrivals from Europe, but several ships are daily expected, when we shall probably know whether peace is to continue. I think a war in Europe would be advantageous to our politics, tho' our commercial regulations are so bad (or rather the want of any general regulations) that I am fearful the mercantile interest would not be able to take the advantages which would be presented to us. Present me affectionately to Sally and Hetty, in which Aunt Polly joins. Y'r Friend and Br., SAM'L B. WEBB. No. 37. NEW YORK, 9th March, 1788. DEAR BARRELL :—I am favored with yours of the 1st inst. and shall pay it the attention you wish. Mr. Livingston is out of town; the moment he returns I will see him. There will be no difficulty about exchanging paper for specie, if he will allow the discount, which is from 6 to 8 per ct. The moment I can get it, it shall be forwarded by Peace or Hyde. Your apples were yesterday shipped in the Schooner "Sally," Benj'n Olmstead, Master. Out of three barrels they are reduced to two. Should you have occasion for more, they can be procured. Our harbor has been filled with ice for ten days past in such a manner that it has been impossible for vessels to move in safety; and 'tis said that the sound is yet full of ice, so that Olmstead may not sail for several days. I intended sending you a super excellent barrel of cider, but the weather is such that the man who promised it has not been in town. If he brings it, and it is such as I wish you to bottle, and make "satisfaction" of, I will send it by the first Vessel; otherwise you will hear no more of it. Murray repeatedly promised, and several times afterwards told me, he had wrote you about Geary's business; and the last time I called on him he showed me his letter to Fish which he supposed was all that was necessary. I congratulate you, and my dear sister, on the arrival to this troublesome world of my young nephew. I hope he may live to be a blessing to you both, and do much good in his day and generation. If he follows the steps of his father, he will help to populate the wilds of America, and do all he can to please the ladies. O, New Hampshire! you have (perhaps unintentionally) done us much injury. Anti-federalists lift their heads. Had they adjourned only to April, it would not have been much; but they will now be in the rear of several States, which, we fear, will pattern after them. This city is true, but the county wants mending; we are busy; so are the Anti's. An Eastern paper says, Capt. was safe at the Cape de Verds. Good luck to him. My love to all, and believe me S. B. WEBB. Remember me to our mutual friend Haskell. I intend writing him by the first good conveyance. No. 38. NEW YORK, 27th April, 1788. DEAR BARRELL :-Enclosed you will have an order drew in your favor by Colonel Richard Platt on Messrs. Jonas Adams & Co. for 302.4 Dollars equal to £120.18 currency, for which I gave £9.2.0 this I must have done, or given the same exchange for Crowns and light Gold, which would have differed you one per cent. more; it will undoubtedly be paid at the time due. I have likewise enclosed for your information the Statement of money received from Capt. Greene on your account, by which you'll observe this last order leaves a balance due me £45.3 Currency. Mr. Livingston and myself will make a final settlement of the business as soon as he hears from Capt. Greene. When the remaining balance is received I will forward it you by the first stage. Our Election for the State Convention begins on Tuesday and probably will continue until Saturday. We have a Federal & an Anti-Federal Ticket exhibited, but there is not a doubt that we carry the Federal ticket in this City four to one, and I am happy to add that in the other counties we have flattering prospects. Some are unanimous against us, but we think we have a good chance of getting at least an equal number of Federalists for the Convention, and of these we shall boast all the good sense and shining Abilities. The Anti's cannot boast of a single Great Character on their side who will probably be a member ;-in short equal bets are taken that this State adopts the New Constitution. I am not however very Sanguine that it will be done by the first Convention. ing exertions are made both for and against it, I enclose you our Federal ticket the Characters I think must please you. The Gov't is at the head of the other. I likewise send you a small Pamphlet written by John Jay about ten days since, and which was a most astonishing influence in converting Anti-federalists to a knowledge and belief that the new Constitution was their only political Salvation. Your Hudson Strawberry Vines are at Mr. Pintards but no Vessels are in Port bound to Boston. I hope one may soon offer, but should it prove too late Capt. Ricketts says he will with pleasure furnish you in the fall. My love to Sally and Hetty. I hope to see them soon and you some time this summer. sure Joe will, whenever he returns, come in the packets to this port. He will be better accommodated, and, as he has never I am been here, it will be pleasing to him. I have met with several Gentlemen who have seen him in Europe & all speak in pleasing terms of his manners & understanding. Remember me to my friends. If time I intend writing by this conveyance, if not he shall soon hear from his friend & Affectionate Brother, SAM'L B. WEBB. Federal List of the City of New York, for the Convention of DEAR BARRELL :-I thank you for your favor of the 4th instant which came to hand by the Thursday's Post. * * You have no idea of electioneering business. With you 'tis all fair and quiet, but with us 'tis all confusion. Parties for different sides appear publicly and sometimes blows ensue ; but in our late election for delegates for convention, we FEDERAL FOLKS were so unanimous in this city that the Governor's party of Antis' shewed themselves only the first day, and were so very weak that we only heard of them afterwards by handbills, a number of which from both parties were in circulation. I enclose you one (said to be written by Col. Hamilton) to show you how plainly we speak of our Governor. In the great contested election before the Revolution, between the Livingstons and Delanceys, they could faintly muster only ab't 2,700. On the present occasion we have between 2,900 and 3,000, out of which we calculate the Antis' may have short of 400, & from all the information yet obtained, we judge about 37 Federal members of Convention. The whole number is 65, but no certainty. The votes cannot be counted until the last Tuesday of this month. We must accept the Constitution and I hope we shall do it with a good grace. You cannot, in the United States, have a signature to an obligation more secure than Richard Platt. He has a handsome property and in no way of risking a shilling's loss, but accumulating daily. I shall pay a visit to Mr. Gardoqui to-morrow. If any seeds you shall have them. For Cape Jessamine I must apply to my friend Cary for he lives twenty miles from town. My love to Sally, Hetty and the children. Aunt Polly I saw yesterday. She is well and desires to be remember with your friend and brother, SAM'L B. WEBB. No. 40. CLAVERACK, 29 March, 1797. DEAR SIR :—I wrote you by Brother Jack when he went from here with the young ladies, by the post of last week. This will be handed you by my friend, Mr. John V. Rensselaer. Your civilities to him will oblige me. Should you have any commands this way he will take charge of them. Please to inform me what prospects there are of the notes I sent you being paid. I am in want of the money. My love to Sally, in which Mrs. Webb joins; and believe me MY DEAR SISTER :- You left us the 7th Nov. The 14th I had a relapse. A violent heat, where I had before uncapped a blood vessel, ensued and I was seriously apprehensive the raising of blood would again commence, since which I have not left my house but once. I have been forbid writing or you would before have heard from me. It is recommended that I write but little now. I am apprehensive all prospects of my intended jaunt to Wethersfield, this winter, is at an end. We have now beautiful sliding and at |