Cofud

26 New York?

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

as truth. I much fear that the melancholy tidings of the death
of the amiable and worthy Dr. Warren, will prove true. How
many and what men have you lost? Yesterday I rec'd a line from
-; he remembers you; the doct'r is going; must not add; my
hearty compliments to Capt. Chester, and squeeze his hand for
Adieu! My Dearest Sam'l.

me.

Copude

Lieut. S. B. Webb.

C. WHITING.

Brughton Webb.

Comfort Sage's letter to Lieut. Sam'l B. Webb.
MIDDLETOWN, 14th July, 1775.

DEAR SAMMY:

Sir:-It gives me the greatest pleasure & satisfaction, to hear of your good conduct and Behaviour at all times; more especially, in the late action at Charlestown, where you played the man in such a manner, that your friends and acquaintances frequently spak of it with pride and pleasure. I pray God Almighty if you should be called to action, that He would protect and preserve you in Battle & Crown you with Success. I should be glad to hear from you at all opportunities.

Little or no news here. Last Monday, the King Fisher went up the Sound after a vessel from Sea, and sent her Barge with 16 men on shore at Branford. A number of people collected and cut her off, & took the Barge with the people. The Bearer, Capt. Warner from Newport, has taken shelter with his family, together with three other familes from there, in that place. He is a Gentleman of fortune & Character; and I should esteem it a particular favour if you'll notice him accordingly. He is accompanied by my son Eben'r, who has been ill about six weeks. He made a pretty good voyage. On their return I expect to set out for the Camp. I am with esteem,

Your real friend & ob't s'v't,

COMFORT SAGE.

My best respects to all friends and acquaintances.

Jerry Wadsworth's Letter.

HARTFORD, June, 1775.

D'R SAM:-Have only a minute's time to tell you I rejoiced to

Repeated on 9.331.

Copud

hear you are well. What an unhappy affair! the Massachusetts
Bullys turned tail too. They have the Curses of every good
man. Your Captain and you, have gained immortal honour. Go
on and prosper-Heaven will protect you. The Brave have every-
thing to hope. Joe tells me, you have no paper; I have two
Ream at your service. Here comes a quire. Tell Chester I re-
member him and mean this for him as well as you. Mr. Deane's
letter says, General Washington will be very soon with you. We
all rejoice at this; and intend some of us, to be with you soon. I
hope myself to be with you in a week. Adieu.
Sunday Morn'g-Post.

WADSWORTH.

Col. Chester to Maj. Sam'l B. Webb.

ROXBURY CAMP, August 11th, 1775. DEAR SAMMY:-I perceive by General Orders, that the General proposes honouring those gentlemen who behaved well in the action on Bunker Hill. For my part, as I am determined not to tarry longer than the time I first thought of, and am not anxious for promotion; & if I was, I imagine there is no vacancy nor like to be for me. But two things have determined me to write to you & request your advice on this subject. And first-By the way I am no preacher & never intend to be one-I say then firstly: Will not a censuring world say, in case we make no representation of our behaviour on Bunker Hill after so fair an opportunity given. us by the General, that we fear to have our conduct looked into, & that we cannot make good our pretensions, & the story we have told of our conduct?

Again: Would it not be doing injustice to our subalterns & under officers, not to represent their behaviour and good conduct? For whatever you or I might think of the matter, they all are desirous of it & hope for promotion or notice in some way or other, in consequence of what the General has published. I have conversed with them and know their opinions in the matter.

to

Now if you think best, after what I have said, to say anything ye General about the matter, I should be much obliged to you . to do it. I am free to ask it of you as you are on the list, & as you are perfectly well acquainted with the whole matter & can do it to as good advantage as any man.

A certain big bellied General, will make the most of his great doing, I very well know. I wish his conduct could be fully known. The Blins have had 10 lashes each, this morning, for deser

tion.

With Regard to rank, &c.,-had I best try to make any advantage of my commission at home as Major, or justice, or having been sundry times, a member of assembly, &c., &c. Write me & tell me how you do & how you go on at Cambridge, & if you have a convenient app'y, come and bring it yourself. Thereby you'll greatly gratify your friend & most obliged humble serv't,

JOHN CHESTER.

Jos. Webb's letter after receiving intelligence of his brother's gal-
lant conduct in the battle of Trenton.

MY DEAR BROTHER:

8.329.

WETHERSFIELD, January 4, 1777.
Yours of the 27th Ulto. was handed Ripated
me on Thursday Morn'g. I opened it at Breakfast, and never was
more pleased in my life. It was agreeable and unexpected news.
Joy overcame us so much that scarcely one of us could finish our
breakfast. Col. Knox's Lady was in Comp'y. She has been at
our house these several days on her way to Boston. Heavens be
praised for this lucky, happy and Important turn in our favour.
Nothing in life, could happen at a more critical juncture-in every
place and almost every face, you may see almost a surprising alter-
ation-tho' no one was willing to own any doubts or fears before.

I must own New England has fewer Tories than I think Jer-
sey or Pennsylvania has-yet we have some. Good God! has his
Excellency met with any Misfortune? My Blood chills at the very
Reflection. Heaven reward and preserve him. I believe Jack will
accept under Shelden; he seems pleased with it, and I think Jack
will make a very genteel, good officer. Blagden is Major. Beld-
ing has accepted a Lieutenancy. I think this bids fair to be a very
genteel corps. Accept my sincere thanks for your attention in
writing me; I acknowledge myself under the Greatest Obligation
Your Chest & Baggage are at Jere Wadsworth's-the
needful shall be done. The Bearer is waiting, cannot add.
Except that I am affectionately yours,

JANUARY 4th, 1777.

Jos. WEBB.

I shall write you by Next Post-but I have not been so good

in writing, on acc't of the uncertainty of the times, which you must excuse. Its a remarkable Healthy time, and our connections

are well.

Copud

Col. John Chester's letter to Col .Samuel B. Webb, Aid-de-Camp to General Washington, Morristown.

WETHERSFIELD, January 17, 1777.

MY DEAR FRIEND:-We all congratulate you on the place of honour you have lately shared in the victories over our common enemy, and pray for a continuation of successes, till they may be obliged to quit the Land or Kneel to Greet George the American. You cannot conceive the joy and raptures the people were universally in, as we passed the road. "Tis good to be the messenger of glad tidings. We were the first that brought the news to Peekskill, of ye Trenton affair. Gen'l Heath thought it a matter well worth forwarding by Express to Boston, which he did. We have such vague, uncertain accounts of these matters in general, that I cannot but think that it would richly pay the expense of forwarding accounts of this kind by Express. They make an amazing alteration in the faces of men and things.

Our assembly are determined, at all events, to fill up their 8 Battalions, if possible. They have granted a bounty of £10 Sterling in addition to the encouragement given by Congress; which, if money will induce men to engage, one would think was sufficient. The good news we have lately heard is worth £100,000 to Connecticut only in raising.

Report says that the Gen'l has desired you to ride into Connecticut to stimulate your Brethren in the good old cause; & that you declined leaving him at this critical season. How is it?

I wish you to transmit us the earliest accounts of any actions that may happen; we shall, in all cases, be able to improve them to good advantage. So many lies circulate that we are loath to believe the truth unless it comes well authenticated, from under hand and seal from headquarters.

Thos. Wooster has lately been with me, on his road to Boston, and begs me to write you about a Grenadier Regiment he heard you talk of; & which, he thinks, will be raised and hopes not to be forgot.