Capt. J. Watson's Letter.

DEAR COLO.:-I was imperatively detained yesterday that I could not meet you as proposed.

It will be no disadvantage I suppose as the Committee of Pay Table, will any time take your Rec't and balance my Amount.

When I was at your House I left a certificate respecting some Powder which I beg of you to leave with your Brother for me.

It is a matter of great consequence to me to have the certificate & I must Interest you by no means to forget it.

I wish you a good Journey & a speedy Exchange with as much sincerity as I have ever been,

Your Friend & Humble Serv't,

HARTFORD, 26 Feb'y, 1780.
Colo. WEBB.

J. WATSON.

Colo. Wm. Smith's Letter.

HEADQUARTERS, 10th Jan'y, 1783.

D'R WEBB :-This is accompanied with a Letter & a small present for my Sisters, it is of some value please therefore to give it, a Safe Conveyance. I am mortgaged to the post below where I returned in the morning, and am sorry it is not in my power to see you.

I am,

Your Sincere Friend,

W. S. SMITH.

Gen'l WEBB.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan'y 2d, 1781.

What a weight of obligation. Ruminating in retirement at a distance from all who know or care a farthing for me: "How poor is the friendless master of a world," thought I, when my servant entered with your very obliging letter. The usual pleasure of breaking the seal was succeeded by a glow of gratitude. Then vanity, spite of sober effort, was on the wing, and tickled most swiftly.

And is it possible my departure could occasion a moment's regret as to the ladies? Really, you have an opinion of my discre

tion. Such a communication is enough to puff one into a coxcomb. But my knowledge of yours and the goodness very conspicuous in the countenance of the amiable circle round your breakfast table, which leads me to attribute the favorable opinion to your candor rather than to my own merit. Could I be furnished with an equipoise for the vanity that unavoidably arises upon the occasion, and now to the point. Why, then, with the frankness you use, I inform the ladies "you did not press me to stay," but on friendship's hallowed shrine I stayed not a moment the less with you on that account; nor in the least would it have retarded my calling upon you on my return had your favor of the 22d never reached me. I could easily forgive an omission when an ill-timed friendship called a son of Mars from the arm of Hebe's beauteous sister. For could I expect even civility, when my rashness with a man less generous would have made a sacrifice to the Cyprian Queen, whose mysteries I had although invertently disturbed. Surely I have most reason to apologize at least to one of the ladies, whose pardon I implore. For you, as you never have, and acting yourself, never can offend, I, of course, have nothing to forgive. And if you, as your interest is very prevalent with one of the ladies, will get me a pardon in the name of friendship, I attribute what is passed to forgetfulness. Let a general amnesty take place, so we can get all the ladies to say amen.

The slave of business, I can neither command my own time or movements, and take it not unkindly if I don't promise when performance may be impracticable. But your family have so many inducements that those who do not call upon them when opportunity admits are rather objects of compassion than resentment for neglect of happiness which incurs its own punishment.

There is a dead calm in politics, and a dearth of news. Therefore, after compliments of the season, many, many happy years to you and your friends, permit me to assure you

I am, very sincerely,

Your friend and

o't serv't. SAM'L OTIS.

Hope the captain got home unhurt in body or heart the day we

parted.

Col. WEBB.

W. M. Livingston's Letter.

NEW YORK, 10th July, 1786.

D'R SIR-Mr. Wm. Ogden tells me that you are desirous to administer upon an Estate in Jersey, as I shall be obliged to leave Town to-morrow morning, I shall be glad to see you upon the subject some time to-day, for which purpose I shall attend at Mr. R. Watts this afternoon precisely at five. Mr. Ogden, who is willing to become your surety, being in town if the business can be done to-day it will save you a jaunt into Jersey.

DEAR SIR-I have directed Hallet to the Reg't for several articles among the other People to call on, I have directed him to call on you & exchange three spoons which he got some time since & to get a pair of your Horn Tumblers, which I supposed you would lend me.

The Fifer you promised to send has not yet arrived, trust you will send him this day, as Colo. Trammell has directed me to call on you for that purpose.

As yet not a Single word has transpired by which we may conjecture where we are going, but should we march by the U. Branch way, I presume to say you send your love.

Colo. WEBB.

Adieu,

HUNTINGTON.

I wish you to send me two of my best Camp Chairs or two of your Short ones.

Jos. Webb's Letter.

ELIZABETH TOws, 26 Aug., 1778.

DEAR BROTHER-I wish this may not find you in York, but gone home either by Exchange or parole. I confess I am much

Chagrined that you have been detained so long, but God only knows how much longer you may yet be in bondage, for it seems that the affairs of Full Colonels yet remains unsettled between the two parties. I did expect the British Officers, many that have been Prisoners in New England, more particularly in Connecticut, would have Interested themselves with the General Officers in your behalf. Gratitude is a virtue almost above every other, it must please Heaven itself. I have been told that Col. Campbell & some others have acted the Gent'm. They have my most unfeigned thanks for their politeness & civility, and I hope they may sooner or later be sensible that doing a generous good action meets with its reward. I feel for your situation and would do every consistent thing in my power for your release, but really I see no prospects as there are no full Colonels in the King's Service in America. You will therefore wait with Patience, or perhaps General Clinton will consent to your coming out on parole if you can't be released. You may tell General Robertson I have paid the money according to Order which I'll soon send the amt. of, that you may receive it. I saw Gov'r McKinley who was Endeavoring his Exchange for Gov'r Franklin, but I believe will not succeed. It seems they expect Thompson to be exchanged first. But, however, it's not determined. I could wish to complete as much of a settlement with those Bills you may have as you possibly can. I wish you might exchange y'r Two Horses for a fine pair, & if cheap a Genteel Phaeton I much Want. I yesterday met with Mrs. Materine, Sister of Wm Livingston, out from York, who lives at Flushing, on Long Island, & returns in a few days who can tell you more particulars of the situation of Our Family. If you see Col. Barton you may ask him to settle with you the money advanced him when at home. He also took in some money to deliver Col. Heart, who was a prisoner on Long Island, but while Col. Barton was on his route to York, Heart was Exchanged & Col. Barton had no opp'y to deliver the money, but now has it which you'll please receive and give him a Receipt. I wish you to give my compliments to Mr. Jno. Winslow & ask him if I shall advanced money to the good Parson's Lady, Miss Lucky, &c., if it's his desire I'll do it with pleasure. I Rec'd two half sovs of Doctor Middleton to be Delivered to a Prisoner at Dunstables. (Lenten Horne 71st Reg't) which I forwarded, but very lately it was

returned to me and this month he was exchanged; therefore you'll repay Doct. Middleton the Two half.

B. Deane is in company with me on our route from Philadelphia Home, & desires to be remembered amongst the rest. Our Sister Simpson is now at Boston, I hope I will not loose her House, tho' I much fear it.

Since writing the above I have met with the Gent'm bearer of this who is polite enough to say He will this day see you & will deliver it Himself.

It gives me pain that you can't at least be Allowed to come out on parole, your affairs suffer very much & really want your personal attention Exceedingly. I can't think but if it was justly represented to Gen'l Clinton He would consent to it. Col. Campbell, French and many others will aid you and assist you. As to your parole they can't doubt, as they have already permitted it for Two months & found you strictly adhered to it. Poor Hetty not so well as I could wish.

Adieu, & Believe me

Col. WEBB.

to be Y'r most aff. B'r,

Jos. WEBB.

ELIZABETH Town, Aug. 26, 1778.

Capt. Hawlker I am sorry to find in close prison at Philadelphia. He I conclude ranks with a Col of the Army.

The Reason Given for his close confinement is-that all the Americans in the Navy

We are still at a loss where General Howe is. If you know, for Heavens sake send us word. Report says he's in Philadelphia. I deny it and I do right until I have a greater certainty.

Hetty & Sally Chester are returned from Doctor Johnson's. I am in hopes she is on the mend, but much weaker than we could wish. Mr. Munford, the last time I saw him complaining much of your not writing, perhaps you may find your pleasure in doing it.