P. S.-Please to present my most friendly compliments to your good Brother & family.

Colo. SAM'L WEBB.

The enclosed letter to my afflicted friend I expected to have forwarded by Capt. Bulkley, but as he has postponed the journey for a few days, shall send it by Belden, who arrived last ev'g and leaves Camp to-morrow.

The friendly manner in which you mention the reception of my former letter confers the obligations upon myself if they afforded the least satisfaction in the distressed situation in which they found you, it is all I could wish-and in your present affliction to deny that consolation which the most sympathetic feelings of a friend could afford, would be unfriendly indeed. I am sensible it is only those who have experienced the loss that can realize your sorrows. We know them to be severely great and share with you in grief.

As Capt. Bulkley writes you it will be unnecessary for me to be particular in Regimental matters-indeed I could only say that the men are destitute of clothes, even to a greater degree than they were last winter. We expect to draw clothing shortly, but it may be several weeks first. I hope Colo. Huntington will come on as soon as he can make it convenient, as it is a matter of consequence to have a field officer with the Regt.

We expect the lads from the Southward will soon be here. The invalids from Col. Scammel's detachment have arrived.

We are just beginning a furlough. The orders are very strict. There is to be a field officer to each Reg't and a commiss'd offi'r to each Co. constantly present and two men from a Co. on furlough. We have heard nothing from the Serg't who was with you on the passage-it would be injurious to those here to be long absent.

You have probably heard that Capt. Parsons has retired and that Rogers succeeds him in the Reg't, so that we have only three Capt's on the Staff. Gen'l Parsons is very sick at Danbury— his Excellency is expected here in a short time which will afford the pleasure to those who have already been too long under the command of some we would wish to be clear of.

I will close this letter with the request of the gent❜m of the Reg't, whose best wishes attend you, and who sincerely lament your misfortunes, and am with the sincerest esteem.

Y'r affectionate friend,

Colo. WEBB.

S. WILLIAMS.

Mrs. Laidley

Jon'th Williams' Letter.

BOSTON, Feb'y 24, 1780. DEAR WEBB:-Enclosed is a letter for Gen'l Washington. The case of wine which I hope was taken particular care of went according to your direction. I leave it to you to acquaint Gen❜l Washington the mode of my sending it. I am sure you will make the best of it, and lay me under many obligations which I already anticipate.

This letter has been wrote some time, but I knew not till to-day that it was sent on.

Apropos, Sampson in the Packet is arrived at the Vineyard. He brings this story. That Ireland under pretence of opposing an invasion from France and Spain requested a supply of arms, &c., which they got to the amount of 40,000, & then remonstrated, prayed for a redress of Grievances, & asserted their rights to a free Commerce, with a hint that if this was not allowed then they would redress themselves. That Sir Jos. Fork had left the Hague in a Hurry, and that the Parliament were assembled in a Hubbub.

I write this in a hurry; however, I will write with more leisure another time if you will address me a correspondent. I want to commence an intercourse with one that from his situation will be able to inform me, and all the news that is interesting to you here you shall be supplied with in a homespun dress, if you approve the choice I have made for a correspondent.

I am,

Your most obd❜t,

In part

Col. S. B. WEBB,

JOHN WILLIAMS.

Maj. J. P. Wyllys' Letter. Mrs. Laidley

HIGHLANDS, CONN. HUTTS, 10 December, 1781.

DEAR COLO:-The day before yesterday I arrived with the troops at this post sufficiently satisfied with our march, but all pleased with what was once thought so execrable-a sight of the Highlands.

The news of your misfortune first reached me at Philadelphia, and was confirmed at Mr. Lott's barely; to say that I condole with you does not do justice to my feelings or friendship. What a man

of your sensibility must feel on such an occasion I think I can in some degree judge-indeed my dear Col. I feel with you.

Capt. Williams doubtless gives you the situation of the Reg't. I am sorry it is necessary for you to be troubled with such affairs now. A field officer must be with the Reg't this winter. I shall tarry sometime longer than I otherwise should, had Colo. Huntington been present at my arrival, but I shall not remain for more than a fortnight. I should imagine he ought not now to be critical as to the expiration of his furlough.

The condition of our whole line is at present very disagreeable, the soldiers uneasy for want of pay and clothes. I wish our friends in Conn't were properly sensible of the consequences which may attend it.

Be so good as to present my compl'ts to Mr. & Mrs. Webb & to your sisters.

DEAR COLO:-The tea and sugar came safe for which I am obliged to you. We get no news here, except what is contained in Jimmie's Letter, which I enclose. I hope to find the troops when I return ready to take the field, as the herbage here is very luxuriant. The Duty here is not much easier than at first, or rather is more natural. I have slept under cover no night since I have been at the post. We make use of Serg't White's bed of honour on which ten thousand men might sleep without touching. However, the duty may be called hard, our men grow sick fast.

A party of our volunteer horse which I had sent as scout fell in with some refugees, five or six of whom they wounded and took one prisoner. That is all the military exploits in which I have as yet had any hand since the command commenced. I expect at least Gen'l -'s thanks for planning.

My Compliments to the officers

of the Reg't and believe me,

Most Sincerly Yours.

JNO. P. WYLLYS.

Onit

Это

G. D. Wickham's Letter. Ms. Laidley

GOSHEN, Monday, August 28th, '86.

DEAR SIR :-I have received your kind letter of the 26th instant and am very much obliged to you for your friendly advice. But I question if I shall have patience enough to follow it. I conceive my ankle is almost well, for I am free from pain, and all that detains me is the swelling, but I am in hopes that in a few days that difficulty will be removed, that I shall be able to return with papa. Remember me to Philip & tell him he must not neglect my yellow Birds.

& believe me to be,

Gen'l S. B. WEBB.

Your most sincere friend,
G. D. WICKHAM.

Mr. Laidley

Capt. Robert Walker's Letter.

HARTFORD, 16 Jan'y, 1779.

DEAR SIR-I condole with you for your misfortune. I hope
Sir you will not be long in that disagreeable situation. My brother
informs me that Mr. Broome has a privateer called Washington.
The 1-32 part he will sell to the officers in the service. He further
informs me that you are about to purchase said part.
Should you,

My brothers & self have a desire to join you, to the amount of four
hundred pounds in part purchase. Your sentiments upon the
matter, & upon what terms part to be purchased & when she
is to sail, will oblige & have not to add my brothers's compliments
to yourself, Brother, & family.

I am, Sir,

Your Most Obd't Serv't,

ROBERT WALKER.

N. B.-Iwould like to have one hundred pounds of the above

sum in another bottom if you think proper.

Colo. WEBB.

1778

Creighton Webb

Thes. Wooster's Letter.

HARTFORD, May 12, 1780.

D'R SIR :-I suppose you well know that for some reason or other the officers of our Reg't had not received their commissions when I left the Reg't, and as I have thought of going to Europe in the Fall, should be much obliged to you if you would take the trouble to get my commission made out, and send it me, tho' I suppose there has been one made out some time ago, tho' I never received it. You know a certain person if he had it, and knew it would be any service to me, would not have delivered it to me, except he was obliged, for which reason I have never applied for it before. The reason of my wanting to have it is that I imagine it might be of service to me abroad by gaining me respect if not friends. I should also be glad if you could get me an honorable discharge from General Washington, as I never had one, nor was mustered out as a supernumerary, tho' perhaps the Major might consider it in that light. I never received the year's pay which was allowed to supern'y officers nor indeed ever desired it, as I did not enter the service for the sake of pay or Rank and imagine should not have quitted it till the war was over, if you had not been so unfortunate as to be taken from it.

I beg you to let me know whether you can comply with my request the first opportunity, and in the meantime remain.

Col. S. B. Webb.

Your most obd't serv't,

THOS. WOOSTER.

Copied

Sam'l B. Webb's Sentiments on Matrimony.

If ever we may be allowed to say, that marriages are made in Heaven, it must be when the union is formed upon a disinterested affection; a love that cannot be described even by those who have felt it. My own heart tells me that it is beyond all description. Sure I am, that the flame is kindled, and cherished by a superior power. "Tis not a pretty face, or an elegant person. 'Tis not a brilliant wit, or a fine understanding, that can excite or preserve mutual affection. It springs from an higher source. It has been known to subsist in it's utmost ardour where these accomplishments have been wanting.