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doing the same;-the latter I am uncertain of. Mobs, which I fancy you judge ruinous to all good government, will be opposed by every true Son of Liberty in this Colony. Other methods may be adopted more effectual to quiet our very few remaining enemies. A reason, and I think a very good one, is given, that all such riots should be stop'd in their first growth, viz., "A day may come, and in all probability soon will, unless a redress of our grievances can be obtained, that we may be as destitute of all Law and Civil Government, as Massachusetts now is." Then, if mobs are allowed to take hold of persons and private property, dissensions will follow; and we soon should be, instead of a United, a broken Body. These are the principles our warmest friends adopt; and as I before hinted, I think them sound.

Our Assembly met on Thursday of this week. Many plans, &c., &c., are formed for our Militia; the best I have seen is by Mr. Hosmer, with, I suppose, the help of some military genius of that town; and he strongly wish'd you to meet him there, to push forward the plan. Some few remonstrances I hear, are to be thrown in; but I hope not to be noticed. Permit me, Dear Sir, to ask whether a letter from Col. Dyer, Mr. Sherman and yourself, on this subject, to some of your friends, Members of the Assembly, or the Council, &c., (as there is not a possibility of your being present), would not be of service? I am not the only one that thinks it would. But as I am a young, and consequently, an inexperienced politician, I shall for the present, drop the subject, and leave it to better judges and more experienced men; tho' young as I am, [twenty,] I shall ever maintain my principles; which I think, are justly fixed.

Letters, which you mention to have sent by a private hand to New York, for the Thursday's Post, are not yet come to hand; I hope not stopp'd by -, but I think not improbable, as all parties are on the lookout. The safest conveyance seems to be by post. Should anything new come to hand, I shall mention it.

My most respectful compliments await on the gentlemen of the family, Mr. House, Mrs. Trist, and Miss Levy. To Mr. Furguson I shall write "The most Important Man,"-if time before I go.

I am, with most dutiful respects, Dear Sir, Your very affectionate friend and most humble servt., SAM'L B. WEBB.

WEDNESDAY, 12th. By Mr. Belding, who goes on to the Assembly this morning, I forward this to New Haven. Joe would write you; but yesterday and the day before were field days. Two companies of Foot and the Troop are in the field, which my Brother was obliged to attend; his respects to you; says he shall write you next post. I would, as I have promised, write Mr. Furguson, but time will not allow me at present.

Am, as above, yours affectionately,

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TUESDAY MORNING, Hartford, April 25, 1775.

DEAR SAMMY:-I received your Favors, and the express waiting have Time to write but a word. All are as well here as people can be, who are so anxious for the Fate of their Country & Friends; to succour and support whom we are constantly employed. Expresses are gone to New York, and as far as Philadelphia, to secure every thing that way. New Haven Light Infantry, Wallingford, & Fairfield Forces, pass'd us this day, well equipped to join the New England Forces. I have wrote my Brother, & conclude you are with him, and will see his Letter. The Assembly meet to-morrow; & I hope before the next Sunday, you will have proper Commissions, and regulations I sent after you by public authority. I know not whether I shall attend the Congress or not. If not, I Design to be with you, immediately after the rising of the Assembly. fear you will march too fast; be calm, patient, Determined; and remember the Dignity of your Character; which is no less than the patriot fighting for his insulted Country and his murder'd Friends; which is the highest honor to which human Nature can rise. I have no Time to add save my Compliments to all Friends. I am wishing you the best protection.

Yours &c.,

S. DEANE.

Silas Deane to L't. S. B. Webb.

PHILADELPHIA, June 29th, 1775.

DEAR SAM'L: I wrote you this Day acknowledging yours of the 7th & 12th instant. Mr. John Adams wrote a Letter to you

by the same, and inclosed one to his Friend, Gen'l Washington, recommending you to his Notice. These I trust you have received.

Gen'l Gates, a long experienced officer, now joins you, and does me the Favour of giving you This. I have spoke of you to this Gentleman, and now urge it upon you, to regard whatever instruction you may gain from him & General Lee, in your profession, as coming from persons whose judgment and experience, render them Oracles for youth in your Situation.

If

I am, Dear Sam,

Your affectionate parent,

S. DEANE.

you can see, or send to Your Sister,* tell her my heart bleeds for her every hour. I may obtain if possible, her Dismission from that Devoted Town & a safe residence in the Country. I am hurried beyond measure in Congress, and in keeping up my extensive Correspondence; but will soon write you at large. By no means form such Connections, either in the Country or Camp, as will tend in any respect, to Draw you from Your Duty in Camp.

S. D.

Silas Deane to Major Sam'l B. Webb.

PHILADELPHIA, July 16, 1775.

DEAR SAM'L:-The Bearer Mr. Chas. Craig, is a Lieut. in a Comp'y of Riflemen, & he being a Stranger in the Army, I recommend to you to Notice, and introduce to the Gentlemen of your Corps; which I am sure you will take the greatest pleasure in doing, as he comes to share with you the common danger of your glorious exertions in our Common Cause; and indeed the Cause of Mankind in general. I have received no letter in answer to any of mine, tho' I have wrote by every opportunity since the departure of Gen'l Washington, as well as previous thereto. This makes me conclude your Letters must have miscarried; for I never can be

*The sister alluded to was Mrs. Simpson, subsequently Mrs. Barrell, whose husband was extensively engaged in commerce, in Boston; and who, after the affair at Lexington, was not permitted to leave the city. He died in Boston while occupied by the British; and his widow subsequently married Joseph Barrell, a distinguished merchant of Boston, of the firm of Barrell & Gray. It was one of their vessels, commanded by Capt. Gray, which discovered the mouth of the Columbia River; and upon that discovery, was based our claim to Oregon and the Northwest; which claim was confirmed by Treaty with Spain, and our title recognized to latitude 49° north.

lieve, for your, as well as my sake, that you are unmindful of Me. Let your next, relieve me from the least doubt on this head.

I have nothing new worth sending so far. I sent you a Book; hope you received it. Write me particularly by the next post, which will encourage me to continue more at large a Course of Letters consequent on what I entered upon in my first, & afterward hinted at by Gen'l Gates. I am wishing you success equal to the justice, & extent of the Cause.

My Dear Sam'l,

Yours affectionately,

Silas Deane to Mrs. Deane.

S. DEANE.

PHILADELPHIA, June 22, 1775.

MY DEAR: This will be handed you by his Excellency, General Washington, in company with General Lee, and retinue. Should they lodge a night in Wethersfield, you will accommodate their horses, servants, &c., in the best manner at the tavern, and their retinue will likely go on to Hartford.

We this moment, received advice of a battle at Bunker's Hill; but the account is very confused. It is said to have happened on Saturday last, and the news arrived here this morning.

I have wrote you so lately and so particularly, that I have nothing in the small way to add; and of business, I dare not think other than is before me.

May God preserve us!

I am, my Dear, Yours, &c.,
S. DEANE.

Mr. Mifflin, of whom I have often spoke, is a Major in the militia here; and is Aid-de-Camp, as I hear, to the General; is my particular friend, and I am happy in the thought, that you will be able to return some of the many civilities I have received from him in this city. If ever there was true spirit and patriotism in man, he possesses them.

Inclosed is more of North Carolina composition. I gave your compliments to them, and told them of your opinion of Caesar, at which we laughed very heartily.

Col. Joseph Reed, A. D. C. to Washington, to Col. Sam'l B. Webb, when recovering from his wound received at the battle of

White Plains.

HEADQUARTERS, CAMBRIDGE, September 10, 1776.

D'R WEBB:-The Hurry of Business & an irksome Complaint, have prevented my writing to you before. How do you do? Do you get better? Do you want anything from here, that I can procure you? Answer me these Questions as soon as you can. You know I take a sincere interest in your welfare, & should be happy to promote it. Letters are come to-day from Mr. Deane. He was safe at Bordeaux the 1st July; much caressed by the People there, especially of Rank. We do not know his success in Politicks, as his letters are to Members of Congress; & the Gen'l does not choose to open them.

You gave Mr. Tilghman and me, some expectations you would lend him your Marc. He is so obliging as to stay here and do duty, but has no horse, nor can we provide him with one. If you can spare her conveniently, it would be very convenient to us. We are at present very bare in point of assistance. The fierce sons of Carolina, who were so apprehensive there would be an action before they came, have taken wing.

Gen. Sullivan has returned; the Congress have appointed Dr. Franklin, Mr. Adams & Mr. Rutledge, to meet Lord Howe in a friendly conference at Amboy or Staten Island, as his Lordship chooses. I fear it will come to nothing. Our Militia are all gone except a very few. One Regiment returns 24. I hope this will open the eyes of every man upon such miserable & futile depend

ence.

God bless you and give you better health.

Yours Aff'y,

J. REED.

Chas. Whiting's letter to Lieut. Sam'l B. Webb.

MIDDLETOWN, 20th June, 1775.

MY DEAR SAM:-I most heartily congratulate you Sammy, on your safe return from the Field of Battle. Am highly rejoic'd to hear that you behav'd worthy yourself, and prov'd that your courage was genuine. I want much to see you and tell you a thousand things & ask 2,000 questions. Write me, as soon as leisure permits, everything concerning the engagement, for as yet, amidst the endless variety of accounts, I don't know what to depend on

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