your little flock. Remember me to my acquaintance, and believe
me, very affectionately, yours,

age.

SAM'L B. WEBB.

How does my friend Otis ? I haven't heard from him this
Remember me to him.

My

NORTH BRANCH, Raritan, 29th October, 1780.
DEAR BARRELL :-My friend, Colo. Cary, gives me an oppor-
tunity once more to tell you I am in a state of existence.
long silence you must please to attribute to unavoidable causes;
for be assured I have no friend whose good opinion and friendship
I more ardently desire than yours. It is not customary for me to
make professions; my actions must speak for me. My late seem-
ing inattention might induce you to think I had forgot my friend
Barrell. This, therefore, I say, I am still your warm friend, S.
B. Webb.

The cares of life you know crowd daily and hourly on us
mortals.

三 A late change in my situation will prevent my passing that

time with you this winter I had promised myself. (For all partic

ulars I must refer you to Col. Cary.) However, one of these days odd

I intend to parade myself at your door with more than one Sister,

one you are well acquainted with; I hope the other will prove
equally agreeable. Sally, my Dear Sister, methinks I hear you
say I ought to have told you this before my leaving Wethersfield e/
Believe me, my Sister, it was a matter I had not fully determined

on.

That, and that only, was the cause of my not writing you on the subject. To Hetty's letter I must refer you. Had I leisure I would write you a separate letter, but Col. and Mrs. Cary are both with us, and set off early in the morning for Boston. Politeness as well as Inclination induces me to pay them all attention.

Ere long I hope you will be acquainted with your new Sister, and I flatter myself both you and Mr. Barrell will love her. However, you must remember I am partial. Common fame says she is not unlike Hetty in disposition and manners. This I am sure will not be unpleasing to you. Remember, friend Joe, you are to keep at least One Bottle of satisfaction for me. My mouth

waters at the idea.

t/

Σ

no I

127

Tell all your good family I love and esteem them. Say to
Otis, God bless him. I am almost unpardonable for not writing e/
him, but 'tis too late this evening. I'll chat enough in one hour
when I see him to make up for twenty letters.

If you have any business in Philadelphia this Winter, com-
mand me. Direct for me at Morristown, New Jersey, to the care
of Jacobus Vanzandt, Esq. All single letters reach me Post free.

I cannot close without telling you a general Exchange is agreed on; at least so general as to release about 150 of our unfortunate Officers on Long Island. It will take place in about three weeks; your Humble Serv't is of the happy number, so that I shall probably have the honor of leading my Reg't the next campaign. Joy to you, my friend, on this glorious turn of affairs to the Southward. You will know the particulars before this can reach you. Remember me to all our friends, and be assured that I am with warm

No. 24.

Sentiments of Esteem, Most

Affectionately Yours,

S. B. WEBB.

[out]

Aus. in B.

20 Nov, &

CAMP TATAWAY, 13th March, 1780. nov. or die.

No. 53.

MY DEAR BR.-Number 52 was from the North Branch
of Raritan the 29th of October which I hope is with you.
sorry again to repeat I have received but one letter from you
since I left home. It makes me uneasy. It looks too like forget-
fulness. Every opportunity I have had has been improved. You
certainly can get letters on to the army so that I know not what
excuse to make.

I wrote the Baron Steuben at Philadelphia to leave the balance
due you in the hands of Mr. Seagrove or Mr. Erskine, but I am ap-
prehensive my letter did not reach him before he set out for the
Southward. If so, I know not when you'll get it, or where I shall
get some necessary supplies.

Yesterday the Commander-in-chief congratulated me on being once more a free man.

The new arrangement has taken place in the Connecticut line as follows. Swift, Durkee, Webb, Butler & Lt.-Col. Comd'g Sher

man, but Durkee must, I think, retire. He is almost superannuated, and 'tis generally supposed I will be second.* I intend this day to solicit leave of absence till Spring in which I hope to be gratified. In the mean time I take this early opportunity to request you will during the Winter be 'providing some necessary stores for me in the Field, such as: Spirits, Sugar, Coffee, Tea, &c., &c. "Tis more than probable I shall be with you part of the Winter. My inclination leads me to be with you-my last contained the reasons why I could not. You'll make my love to Sister Webb, to Libby and all our friends. Your sisters in New Jersey desired me to remember them to you all.

2 Folio 84

NORTH BRANCH, RARITAN, NEW JERSEY, 27 December, 1780.

DEAR BARRELL: A few days since, I was favored with yours of the 20th ult., by Mr. Otis, which afforded me peculiar satisfaction, as

*Instead of second," he was assigned to the command of the Light Infantry, vice La Fayette, who was sent South.

e/

I had not since leaving Wethersfield, heard anything of you. Yes, Barrell, I am among the list of old folks, a married man; and be assured, I only regret that so many days and years have been spent without knowing the happiest state this world affords; and I have every reason to hope it will continue while life lasts. That I am a soldier is in the eyes of some of my friends a misfortune, because I may the sooner quit the stage. "Tis a misfortune in my own eyes, but in two cases only, one that my country should require men of the profession, and the other that am debarred the domestic ease and comfort which otherways I might enjoy. But I hope to live through ; all the troubles of the war, and yet partake of many a social glass war, with you

Your new sister is fond of you and Sally, though unknown. I flatter myself you will one day or other be equally fond of her; she begs me to tender you both her love and compliments. A fond mother, and she the only child, is all that prevented my taking her to Wethersfield (and perhaps to Boston) this winter. I should delay it no longer than the next Spring, but then my duty will call me to the field. I hope it may be the last campaign, and a very honorable one to America. The certificate which you favored me with finally has affected my exchange. You, therefore, again have my warmest thanks, and through you I beg to tender them to others, my friends, the owners of the late Vengeance Privateer-stick to your promise-keep a bottle of satisfaction for your new Sister (this has some self in it). shall have a share, and unless the fortune of war disable me, it shall be the next winter. But should it be my unfortunate lot to add to the number who have fallen in their country's cause, you may then drink it to my memory; for even in death I hope to do honour to my friends.

ཊྛ

Hetty has wrote Sally; this will answer as well for her as for you. Tell her I love her most heartily, and wish both you and her every felicity in this world and that which is to come. Brother Jack leaves us this day. He will take charge of our letters, and talks of paying you a visit. The circle join me in compliments of the season. You will please present mine to all those who have a friendship for

Your affectionate brother,
SAM'L B. WEBB.

No. 26.

сорий

Repeated on 8.347

Letter to General Parsons.

CAMP, 7th February, 1781. DEAR GENERAL:-Enclosed you have a list of eight men who are rated-and quite a burthen to the regiment. I mean, if I have your approbation to discharge them to-morrow.

The bearer, Asa Leonard, waits on you in his Sunday-go-tomeeting dress, his time not expiring till the 7th of May. I dare not discharge him without your order-If you'll be so obliging as to lend me a gallon of spirits and a few potatoes I'll see to repay I am D-General Affectionate Yours, you soon.

Coprid

CAMP AT PEekskill, Wednesday, June 27, 1781.

MY DEAR BR :-Your letter of the 18 inst. Br. Jack sent me yesterday. I have wrote you several times on the subject you mention and have now enclosed a letter calculated for you to shew the Governor which I earnestly entreat you will as soon as possible.

Mrs. Bancker can go on by the way of Elizabeth Town which will save a great deal of trouble; besides, I am sure it would not be agreeable to Gen'l Washington to have any flags passing on this side at present, but from the Jersey side there will be no difficulty.

Doct'r Cockran left the Raritan on Saturday last, when he called to see Mrs. Webb and found her yet in a low state of health; so much so that she is most of the time confined to her bed, but has had no return of raising blood since I left her. I