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James Watson's Letter.

HARTFORD, March 5, 1779. DEAR COLO-I am desirous if possible to procure a Supply of types, in attempting which I have repeatedly experienced the most friendly assistance from your Brother. I now beg leave to trouble you upon the same business.

My desire is that you should apply to Redington or some other of the Printers in New York, & ensure him an honest recompence in hard money or otherwise, for all his printing materials which it is probable he would rather sell than carry with him in case that City should be evacuated. Provided also that they could be sent out or left secure in the hands of some one who remains of whom they might be received. I know not whether any plan of this kind could be executed, if it could, the remittance should be honestly made & the favor very gratefully acknowledged by your.

COL. W. WEBB.

Ob't & Most Hum'l Serv't

James Watson's Letter.

J. WATSON.

CAMP PEEKSKILL, Octo'r 8th, 1781. DEAR COLO-I hoped to have had the pleasure of seeing you; instead of which I had only the enjoyment of your Marquee a very agreeable circumstance indeed for a cold night, but your company would have been much more so. I am sure you will believe me when I endeavour to express the concern I feel for the health of Mrs. Webb. May the journey to Connecticut which I am informed you have obtained permission to take by water, complete your wishes in restoring her to health

Wishing you a prosperous and happy voyage,
I am Dear Colo.,

Your affectionate friend and serv't,

COLO. J. B. WEBB.

JAMES WATSON.

James Watson's Letter.

ALBANY, Feb'y 5th, 1794.

MY DEAR WEBB-I received your kind favour of the 5th. Mr. Spencer, for want I suppose of a convenient opportunity, has not

yet introduced me to your worthy friend. His petition has not been presented, and the temper of the House is not very favourable to request of that nature. Indeed I do not hesitate to acknowledge that from the present view of the matter I cannot do less than give my vote against them.

It was a real disappointment to me that I could not reach Claverack at evening to enjoy your company and hospitality. I shall miss no opportunity of doing it as there are but few persons in the world for whom I have an equal regard. Your congratulations are always acceptable because I am sure they are cordial. I much regret the deficiency of snow which threatens to rob me of the pleasure of a visit from you here.

I am, with much regard,

Your friend

& obt. ser't,

JAMES WATSON.

Col. Webb's Instructions from the Officers of the 3rd Reg't.

At a meeting of the officers of the 3rd Connecticut Regiment, Nov. 22, 1782, agreeable to the request of Brigadier General Huntington in the orders of the 20th instant, they came to the Election of an officer to represent them in a convention to be held at West Point, on Sunday, the 24th instant, for the purpose of devising some mode for the redress of the many grievances under which the army now labour, when Colonel Samuel B. Webb was unanimously chosen for that purpose. We are therefore requested on behalf of the said officers, earnestly to request his attendance accordingly.

To enter into a minute and particular detail of the many and almost intolerable grievances through which the citizens of America in the Field have struggled, and under which they now groan, must give pain to the mind of sensibility, and call up a train of reflection upon the suppression of which our happiness depends, and as they must be fresh in the mind of every officer the attempt would be superfluous.

Notwithstanding we are fully impressed with the idea that our necessities call for the most immediate and effectual relief, yet we wish that our conduct on this occasion may not be marked with an

intemperate zeal, and that the army have exhibited to the world, the most astonishing spectacle of preserving patriotism and virtue in distress, we wish not at this late period when our troubles appear to be verging to a happy termination to cast shade upon that fame which we hold equally dear with our Lives, but that our conduct may be dictated in prudence, and supported with firmness.

Colonel Webb will be pleased after meeting said Convention and agreeing upon some mode of redress or adopting some system to be pursued, to make report of the same for the approbation of the Regiment as soon as may be.

Extract-Titus Hosmer to Silas Deane.

May 22, 1775.

Our men enter into the service with great ardor. Most of the Captains have enlisted more than their complement, and some who came too late have bought in, rather than be disappointed of a share in the service. Samuel Webb is Lieut. in your brother's place. Mr. Whiting goes as General Spencer's Quartermaster. Everything out doors is spirit, activity, and determined bravery. The outside of the sepulchre is fair, but within-the scripture will tell the rest, tho' we have not so many devils as Mary Magdalene had; indeed the Devil of Avarice is all that we have to complain of I am, with the warmest friendship. & &.

TITUS HOSMER.

Letters of Jos. Reed, afterwards Aide de Camp to Washington and at this time Adjutant-General of the army.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan'y 16, 1776.

The peculiarity of my situation detains me and will do so till some remarkable change in publick affairs cuts asunder the cords which tie down here. In that case I shall be happy in renewing the Rights of Fellowship with my good friends at Cambridge. I perfectly long to see the old General*, toast him every day, which I assure you is doing a great Deal for a Connecticut Man, as the late Disputes at Susquehanna have created an Antipathy

*Putnam.

between the two provinces that was proceeding to dangerous lengths if the Congress had not interposed.

Our worthy Friend Deane is going to leave us, much regretted by every man in and out of Congress who has the pleasure of his

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A Committee of Officers to Gen. Webb.

A number of Brigadier General Sam'l B. Webb's particular and real Friends, present to him their respectful compliments, and inform him that they have possessed themselves of a large Packet addressed to him by his new Title, and which contains the Commission from Congress, to justify the Title, fav'd by Honorable Sam'l Huntington. They would further inform the General, that if it should be agreeable to him, and he is disengaged, that a number of his friends (perhaps a dozen) propose to wait on him this evening with the Packet, and with their Compliments of Congratulation on the happy event, and to testify jointly and severally, how much they rejoice in his promotion.

Wednesday, 11 o'clock. November 15, 1783.

Major Blodget's Letter.

CAMP RARITAN, 15 March, 1779. DEAR WEBB-The letter which accompanied this contains Everything you could wish, in regard to the invitation of Miss Banker and Miss Van Zandt, to the hop, to-morrow evening. I have mentioned that we will be with them by 12 or 1 o'clock, tomorrow, and expect they will be in readiness. You can, however, write to Miss Banker if you think it necessary. It will not be amiss to send your Servant off at once, that we may have an answer to-night.

Col. WEBB.

I am, dear sir,

Your h'ble Serv't,

WM. BLODGET.

Wm. Blodget's Letter.

PROVIDENCE, June 19, 1790.

SIR-Having given up the Idea of remaining in Vermont, and received my papers from there, I enclose you all the documents you delivered me relative to your Lands, & wish on receipt of them you would deliver the bearer my obligation for them.

I am sorry that Every Exertion of mine was ineffectual to do you the service you requested-but I did not spare Either pain, cost, or enquiry to effectuate your wishes. It must, as I have reiterated to you rest on the Decision of Congress in the Event of the Recognition of that Territory as a separate State, and it hath ever been my opinion that Lands under your Claims must be compensated for. The applications to me have been so numerous from various quarters to act as an Agent where the Field may be opened, that I am induced from my knowledge as to the Ancient Locations of that Country, to give every assistance in my power to ClaimantsHowever dangerous the task.

GEN'L WEBB.

I am, Sir,

With Esteem, your obd't Serv't,
WM. BLODGET.

P. S.-In the Execution of this business I went once myself & sent my Clerk at another time to purminate the business. What I actually did, and Expended in this business (abstracted from my Fees of office) was £30, L. M. As nothing Effectual could be done, I leave it with you to give me what reward you think proper for my writing, &c., &c., &c.

The distance from Bennington is about 90 miles, but some other business relation to another Claim in Addison, lessened your

expense.

Henry Babcock's Letter.

STONINGTON, 27th Nov., 1776.

DEAR SIR-Tho' late, I most sincerely congratulate you, upon your being appointed A. D. C., to his Excellency, Gen'l Washington to whom, as well as yourself, I most sincerely wish success, and a whole Harvest of Laurels; please to give my most respectful compliments to him.

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