which all who knew her wished to be her lot seemed to have been destined through you to have been her portion. If there is a possibility of being so here, I am sure she was in the proper channel to receive it. You knew very early my sentiments respecting her, you knew the affection of Cornelia and this whole family for her; and can therefore judge how our feelings must be at the news of her death, especially when the distress of one who has ever been (and we hope ever will be) our sincere friend, is connected with the melancholy tale; and, while we have lamented with the husband, I assure you not a few tears have fallen for the aflicted Parent. Deprived of a fond and affectionate husband, a dutiful & obedient daughter was her only comfort. She too, Providence has thought fit to remove, only because perhaps she was too much loved, and, had not her fate ordained that all who knew should love her, why should she have been so lavish of her virtues? It is a comfort however she lived to see Connecticut, & your friends. Death on the passage would have been insupportable. We believe with you, she has made a good exchange, and this must prove a source of comfort to you & her afflicted mother. Every wished for consolation in the power of your friends to give, you know you will receive. Our warmest sentiments of esteem and regard for you and every branch of your family is herewith sent you (to which Miss Cornelia adds her love and thanks for her letter) and in particular those of Mrs. Livingston, &c. Your sincere & affectionate Friend, Colonel SAM'L B. WEBB. WM. S. LIVINGSTON. P. S.-Write as often as opportunity offers. Colo. Wm. Livingston's Letter. o Laidley NEW YORK, Feb'y 12th, 1792. D'R WEBB :-Nothing has as yet been done in our Business. You have heard no doubt of Gate's resignation. I was present when he delivered it to the meeting at Farmer's Hall in this city. At first I was not a little surprised. But our politicks have taken a different turn, and I hope for the better, if it is not too late. Mr. Jay is come forward as a Candidate for Governor. It meets with the unanimous approbation of all with us. The Patroon is in Nomination for the Lieut.-Governor's Place. Old Governor Cortland is roil'd and intends to oppose him. Clinton's party will support him. Jay will carry almost all Westchester, and in my opinion, will have a decided majority in the Southern District. Everything now depends on your exertions to the northward. The friends of Yates in the Legislature seem determined & unanimous in support of Jay. Mr. Burr is also held up as a Candidate for GovHe and his friends are both in earnest. But I cannot conceive his interest is a powerful one. Indeed I am at a Loss to determine whether he will prove most injurious to Clinton or Jay. Clinton & Burr have both started expresses to every part of the State. ernor. I hope Mrs. Webb and the little lady lately arrived, are in perfect health. Present our best respects to her. Please to remember me to your Father-in-Law & Capt. Ten Brook. Treasurer shall be carefully watched by Our friend the Gen'l S. B. WEBB. Yours, most sincerely, WM. S. LIVINGSTON. Lt. Col. W. S. Livingston's Letter. BEVERWYCK, July 9, 1782. DEAR WEBB-Your letter by Corporal Knott, of the 7th I received yesterday, and believe me, I have not read one with more pleasure this long time. The friendly, social style in which its wrote, the delicate manner in which you rebuke Mr. Lott and myself for a want of attention, and the strong ideas of friendship with which it has impressed me, bring to my mind the pleasing remembrance of past times; and while I read the charge, am made doubly happy by the conscious innocence of both. Our business, as you may justly suppose, was extremely urgent, or the hospitable hut of our friend would not have passed unnoticed. We did not spend one night in camp, the commander in Chief dining during the day we passed through with General Howe, gave us an opportunity of paying our respects to both at Robinson's House, and the same evening we crossed at Kings Ferry. On our return, as fortune would have it, we met Jackson, Grayton and a number of my old acquaintances there, whom I was extremely happy to see; and could I have brought you, by some magic spell, within the social circle of the table, with inclination and desire, all conspired to prompt my memory to effect it. This circumstance alone was wanting to have made my happiness on that occasion complete. I shall at a future day (at present it will be improper) let you know the purport of our errand. At a future day, I hope (and without it who could live) to enjoy free from restraint an uninterupted intercourse with all my friends. But with the circle of Wethersfield most particularly. Did I dare at this time to communicate my wishes fully, I could add, and with the sincerity of a friend, that I hope to see the day when the restoration of your almost irreparable loss may be in part made up to you, by a happy connection with one, who, either from a participation with you of her friendship, or merit similar to her predecessor, may be fit to represent her, and interest those affections, which are worthy of, and fewer still dare attempt to claim. You call me friend and sign yourself the friend of Livingston. Be in return the centre of my affections. Point out the source in which they ought to flow, bestow them most, where most you give your own; and my constant study only shall be to make the fount inexhaustible. Let me only request that this family, as they ever wish, may ever claim a double portion of your esteem. Return, if you please, the love of all here to good Mrs. Bancker and your friends at home. Let mine when an opportunity offers be particularly communicated to Hetty and through her, to our friends at Boston. We hope Mrs. Bancker may soon again enjoy her health, and we most ardently wish that you would come and spend some days with us. Were we to choose, I should say Months and if it were agreeable to you, I extend it to a home where all the arts to please should be cheerfully exerted that are in the power of Dear Webb, your sincere friend And Obd't Servant, W. S. LIVINGSTON. P. S.-Remember me to the Gentlemen of the regiment, and in a particular manner to Capt. Bulkley whom I much esteem. Col. WEBB. Mr. Laidley Chris. Miller's Letter. NEW YORK, March 11th, 1778. MY GOOD FRIEND :-Mr. Gane's last paper contained all the news that was in the last country papers. I am to sail next Sun I am this moment in day. If the time is put off I'll see you. The ladies present their compliments. Your friend and humble serv't, Chris. Miller's Letter. CHRIS. MILLER. NEW YORK, 17 March, 1778. DEAR SIR-I received your friendly letter and shall treasure its contents. I'll exert myself to bring F-with me to-morrow or next day. The bearer brings what papers could be got. I don't find any magazines are come out. Gen'l Lee goes to Philadelphia by land in a few days. Mr. Lowery and Major Williams go with him. The Gen'l is fretting at some symptom of the gout he finds about him. Mr. M. and ladies present their compliments. Believe me to be dear sir, Ms. Laidley Your friend and very humble servant, Col. WEBB. CHRIS. MILLER. Col. Lewis Morris' Letter. HEIGHTS above SPRINGFIELD, June 17, 1780. Look at the direction of the enclosed, and if it does not produce a train of the most agreeable sensations. I will never forward you another. Fortunate man, to be thus blessed with the affections of one of the first of her sex. It is not the characteristic of a benevolent mind to be envious of another's happiness, but situated as I am, I could wish to shake hands with you under similar circumstances. I need not assure you how sensible I am of the confidence which you have placed in me, and how ready I shall be to oblige both yourself and the Lady upon every occasion. I am sure you are sufficiently convinced of my friendship and disposition to serve you. I will I have not had it in my power, from the constant duties in the field, to assist Major Claiborne in forwarding the wine. write him upon the subject, and press him to forward it. The Enemy continue precisely as they were, and they have completed a bridge of boats across the sound, but whether they mean to retreat or make a daring and serious attack upon our army, I cannot say. me, My best respects to your Brothers and Sisters, and believe Dear sir, Col. WEBB. Your sincere & affec't Friend, ? Robt. Morris, Jun's, Letter. WEDNESDAY EVENING, 11 at night. DEAR WEBB-Your letter by Mr. Chapman was just handed me owing to my being out of the way. I feel not only a wish, but a compulsion to write you a few lines at least, as I have a perfect sense of your happiness on its arrival, though I am sorry to say I have nothing material to inform you of. Mr. W. this day has returned; goes again in a fortnight. The Misses, &c., have since your departure been much to themselves, they this day and evening are in preparation for to-morrow night's Assembly. The said foot is not yet perfectly recovered, and I much fear as long as there is any dancing there can be no cure. I have not been there as much as I could have wished or you expected owing to my repainting my shay so that I might paint it independent of the frost. What think the Miss's have drank tea with Mama in a sociable way. I waited on Miss W. last Saturday to take tea with Mr. J. Wats, she behaved as a true friend to me, but not a word of the and I was not to know it. Lewis's bagage leaves this in the morning; if you are there on their arrival you |